Page:The Way of a Virgin.djvu/192

Rh and that she would make happy the husband for whom God had destined her. This compliment, I felt assured, would cause her to blush. 'Tis cruel, but thus it is that the language of seduction ever beginneth. A girl of her years who doth not blush at the mention of marriage is either a fool or already expert in profligacy. Despite this, however, the blush which mounteth to a young girl's cheek at the onset of a startling idea is indeed a problem. Whence doth it come? Perchance from pure simplicity; perchance from shame; often from a mixture of both feelings. Cometh, then, the combat 'twixt vice and virtue, and usually 'tis virtue which hath to succumb. The desires—true servants of vice—easily attain their ends. As I knew the young boarder from M—— M——'s description, I could not be unaware of the source of those blushes which did but enhance her youthful charms.

Pretending not to notice aught, I conversed for a while with M—— M——, then returned to the assault. She had regained her calm.

"What is thine age, pretty one?" said I.

"I am thirteen."

"Thou art wrong, my heart," said her friend. "Thou hast not yet completed thy twelfth year."

"The time will come," quoth I, "when thou wilt diminish the tale of thy years instead of increasing it."

"I shall never tell a lie, sir; of that I am sure."

"So thou wouldst become a nun, my fair friend?"

"I have not yet that vocation; but naught shall force me to lie, even though I should live in the world."