"What harm!" echoed Mr. Gray, with an elevated voice; "why, harm to that good name which she has kept for years. What do you fancy people think of her being in this house?—her a stranger to you by blood, and you so young! Sir, she has risked her character by staying here—and I very much doubt if the world is likely to believe her own version of this extraordinary freak."
"Do you believe it?" asked Sidney.
"Well—I do."
"And I also—that makes two out of a very few for whose good opinion Mattie Gray cares."
"Whilst we are in the world we should care for the world's opinion, Mr. Hinchford."
"I think not, when it's a false one. You, a minister, telling me to study the world!"
"I never said that—how aggravating you are, to be sure!"
"Pardon me," said Sidney, quickly; "a misinterpretation, Mr. Gray. And we must study the world after all—you're right enough. Poor Mattie, what would she think of this hiss of slander in her ears?"
"I warned her of it—and she braved me."
"Ah! a brave girl, whose reward will come in a brighter world than this. Well," he added, sadly, "go she must. I agree with you."