“No, indeed.  I should like to hear your wise meditations, most grave and potent seigneur.  Doubtless, they will prove very edifying, as the theme, of course, was woman’s foibles.”

“I have been thinking rather of what woman might be, than of what she is.  What an exalted part she might perform in the regeneration of the world, did she but fulfil her mission.  An archangel might almost envy her opportunities of blessing and benefiting others; and yet, with so many spheres of usefulness open to her, with influence so potent for good or evil, the majority of your sex do nothing, or, worse than nothing, injure others by their example.  I am not a woman-hater, Ella; but I must deplore that so many are unmindful utterly of their high calling, and careless of everything but how to spend the present hour the most agreeably, instead of being found actively sustaining, as far as in their power, every good word and work; and ever with a smile and a word of encouragement to the weary toilers in the path of duty.  That there are such women, I have not the least doubt; but I have never met with one yet.  When I do so, and remain insensible to =her= charms, you may then call me a woman-hater,”—­and a smile concluded the sentence.

A merry, mocking laugh from his, sister rang through the room.

“I thought as much.  We, poor women, are not good enough for your most serene highness; nothing short of one endowed with angelic qualities will suit you.  I must really try if, in my long list of acquaintances, I cannot find one to come up to your standard; though I am afraid it would be rather a difficult task.  And now, in reply to that grave lecture of yours, (what a pity the girls were not here to be edified,) for my part, I always imagined that woman’s mission was to be as charming as possible, and I am quite content with being that,”—­and Ella looked up into her brother’s face, with an irresistible smile.

“But may you not be charming and useful both?”

“Well, I don’t know about that; I should like to know what you would have us do.”

Do! what might you not do, if you were disposed?  What an incalculable amount of good, and that in the most unobtrusive manner.  Society takes its tone from you, and waits to be fashioned by your hand.  But, I verily believe, running the risk of speaking very ungallantly, that there is not one in thirty, fifty, or perhaps a hundred of your sex, who have the slightest idea of exerting their talents for the benefit of others.  You laugh and talk, and enjoy yourselves, careless of the impression your example may produce, and conform to the usages of society, without one inquiry, as to whether in those usages may not, sometimes, lurk frightful dangers, if not to yourselves, to others who follow admiringly in your steps.”

“Frightful dangers!  Really, brother, you are growing enigmatical.  I should like to have that sentence made a little plainer, for I certainly do not understand you.”