"Well, Jenny," said
he, "I have a favour to ask you. Introduce me to your friend, Miss Dodd.
Will you?"
Miss Hardie coloured faintly. " I would rather not, dear Alfred: the
introduction could not be for her eternal good. Julia's soul is in a very
ticklish state; she wavers as yet between this world and the other world;
and it won't do; it won't do; there is no middle path. You would very
likely turn the scale, and then I should have fought against her
everlasting welfare--my friend's."
"What, am I an infidel?" inquired Alfred angrily. Jane looked distressed.
"Oh no, Alfred; but you are a worldling."
Alfred, smothering a strong sense of irritation, besought her to hear
reason; these big words were out of place here. "It is Dodd's sister; and
he will introduce me at a word, worldling as I am."
"Then why urge me to do it, against my conscience?" asked the young lady,
as sharply as if she had been a woman of the world. " You cannot be in
_love_ with her, as you do not know her."
Alfred did not reply to this unlucky thrust, but made a last effort to
soften her.
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