"She? O she said—she said her pastor said it—that nothing's quite right until it's noble."
"Well, don't you believe that principle?"
"I don't know! That's what I've asked myself twenty times to-day."
"Why to-day?" asked Miss Garnet, with eyes downcast, as though she could give the right answer herself.
"O"—he smiled—"something set me to thinking about it. But, now, Miss Garnet, is it true? Isn't it sometimes allowable, and sometimes even necessary—absolutely, morally necessary—for a fellow to do what may look anything but noble?"
He got no reply.
"O of course I know it's the spirit of an act that counts, and not its look; but—here now, for example,"—John dropped his voice confidentially—"is a fellow in love with a young lady, and——Do I speak loud enough?"
"Yes, go on."
He did so for some time. By and by:
"Ah! yes, Mr. March, but remember you're only supposing a case."