“I haven’t said what I thought on that subject, but I feel sure that it is not the question for you to decide at present; first settle the all-important one of your personal acceptation of Christ, and then it will be time to decide the other matter, for or against, as your conscience may dictate.”

“Oh, but,” said Sadie, positively, “I know very well what my conscience would dictate, and I am not ready for it.”

“Isn’t dancing an innocent amusement?”

“For me yes, but not for a Christian.”

“Does the Bible lay down one code of laws for you and another for Christians?”

“I think so—­it says, ‘Be not conformed to the world.’”

“Granted; but does it anywhere say to those who are of the world, ’You have a right to do just what you like; that direction does not apply to you at all, it is all intended for those poor Christians?’”

“Dr. Van Anden,” said Sadie with dignity, “don’t you think there should be a difference between Christians and those who are not?”

“Undoubtedly I do.  Do you think that every person ought or ought not to be a Christian?”

Sadie was silent, and a little indignant.  After a moment she spoke again, this time with a touch of hauteur: 

“I think you understand what I mean, Doctor, though you would not admit it for the world.  I don’t suppose I feel very deeply on the subject, else I would not advance so trivial an excuse; but this is honestly my state of mind.  Whenever I think about the matter at all, this thing comes up for consideration.  I think it would be very foolish for me to argue against dancing, for I don’t know much about the arguments, and care less.  I know only this much, that there is a very distinctly defined inconsistency between a profession of religion and dancing, visible very generally to the eyes of those who make no profession; the other class don’t seem so able to see it; but there exists very generally among us worldlings a disposition to laugh a little over dancing Christians.  Whether this is a well-founded inconsistency, or only a foolish prejudice on our part, I have never taken the trouble to try to determine, and it would make little material difference which it was—­it is enough for me that such is the case; and it makes it very plain to me that if I were an honest professor of that religion which leads one of its teachers to say, ’He will eat no meat while the world stands if it makes his brother to offend,’ I should be obliged to give up my dancing.  But since I am not one of that class, and thus have no such influence, I can see no possible harm in my favorite amusement, and am not ready to give it up; and that is what I mean by its being innocent for me, and not innocent for professing Christians.”

Dr. Van Anden made no sort of reply, if Sadie could judge from his face; he seemed to have grown weary of the whole subject; he leaned back in his carriage, and let the reins fall loosely and carelessly.  His next proceeding was most astounding; coolly possessing himself of one of the small gloved hands that lay idly in Sadie’s lap, he said, in a quiet, matter-of-fact tone:  “Sadie, would you allow me to put my arm around you?”