“I have been long expecting this remark, my dear Emmeline, and I have endeavoured to be prepared with an answer.  To our Father in Heaven and to our own conscience we must still look for our guide in life; that not in one thing must we transgress the love and duty we owe our Maker, or disregard the warning or reproaches of our hearts; but still, mingling in the world as it is undoubtedly our duty to do—­for as I have often told you, we do not live for ourselves, but for others—­we must have due regard in minor things to the opinions of those with whom we associate.  When a woman has once set up for an Independent, when, scorning the opinion of the world, she walks forth conscious in her own integrity and virtue, though no stain may have sullied her conduct or name, though she may be innately amiable and good, yet every gentler female will shrink from such a character, and tremble lest they should become like her.  Women are dependent beings; in Infinite Wisdom it was thus ordained, and why should we endeavour to be otherwise?  When once we set up a standard for ourselves, we have thrown aside our surest safeguard, and exposed ourselves to censure and suspicion.  When the ordinances of society do not interfere with the higher principle of our lives they should be obeyed, and in doing so we are following up the dictates of true religion, by doing our duty as members of a community, as children of one common father, which, if we stand selfishly apart, we cannot do.  I speak more of the opinion of the world,” mamma then continued, “to you than either to your sister or your cousin.  Caroline I would rather check in her perhaps too great regard for admiration; and Ellen is at present too young, and in much too delicate health, to go out with me as much as you will, even before you are what is termed introduced:  besides which, her natural reserve and timidity banish all fears on that account for her.  But for you, Emmeline, I do sometimes feel fearful that, in the indulgence of uncontrolled feeling, you will forget you are not quite such an independent being as you were at Oakwood.  Many of your ideas are quite contrary to those generally entertained by several with whom you may associate; and I sometimes dread that by their unchecked expression, or the avowed determination never to think as your companions do—­that you hate such confined ideas, or some such thing, which,” and she smiled, “if I know my Emmeline rightly, is not at all unlikely—­you may be exposing yourself to suspicion and dislike.  I feel quite sure you never will wilfully offend, or that you will really deserve such censure; all I wish is that you will be a little more guarded and controlled in your intercourse with strangers here, than you ever were in the happy halls of Oakwood.”

I did not answer, my dear Mary; for I do not know why, but there was something in her words that caused my eyes to fill with tears.  I think it was because it seemed such a painful task to maintain such a continued control over my words and feelings, and mamma as usual divined the cause of my sadness, even before I could define it myself.