“Doubtless the Lord would appreciate that sort of faithfulness,” said Louis gravely, “although I notice Christianity seems to be a sort of Sing-Sing arrangement with the majority.  Everything is done under a sense of compulsion, and the air is lurid with trials and lamentations and woe.  It is not an alluring life, and, in my opinion, the jolly old world shows its sense in steering clear of it.”

“Your irreverence is shocking, Louis,” said Isabelle severely, “and you are as much of an extremist as Evadne.  No one could live such a life as you seem to expect.  Religion has its proper place, of course, but I do not think it is wise to speak of the deep things of life on all occasions.”

“’I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified,’” quoted Evadne.  “Was Paul mistaken then?”

“Certainly, my dear coz,” said Louis, as he prepared to leave the room.  “The greatest men are subject to that infirmity.  The only one who has never been mistaken is Isabelle.”

* * * * *

“It is so provoking that we cannot have the carriage,” grumbled Isabelle, as, when Wednesday evening came, they waited for Louis in the dining-room.  “At the Joliettes’ of all places!  I am sure I don’t see, Papa, why you cannot insist upon Pompey’s taking some other night off when we need him on Wednesdays.  It is horribly awkward!”

Her father shook his head as he slowly peeled an orange.  “Because I have given him my word, my dear.  The only stipulation he made when I engaged him was that he should not be required to drive on Sundays and Wednesday evenings, and, when I hear people complaining about their surly, incapable coachmen, I consider it is a light price to pay.  Pompey is as sober as a church and as pleasant-tempered in a rain storm as a water-spaniel,—­no matter what hour of the night you keep him waiting; so it is the least we can do to let the poor fellow be sure of one evening to himself;” and the Judge opened his Times and began to study the money market.

“Well,” said Isabelle crossly.  “I, for one, don’t believe in allowing servants to have such cast-iron rules.  It savors too much of socialism.”

“Exactly so,” said Louis from the doorway, where he stood leisurely buttoning his gloves.  “You will never pose as the goddess of liberty, ma belle soeur.  It is a good thing that Lincoln got the Emancipation bill signed before you came into power, or dusky millions might still be weeping tears of blood.”

Isabelle swept past him with an indignant toss of her head, and the front door closed after the trio with a metallic clang.

“I don’t wonder the poor child is annoyed,” said Mrs. Hildreth as she played with her grapes.  “It is very embarrassing when people know that we keep a carriage; and the Joliettes are such sticklers in the matter of etiquette.  It is a ridiculous fad of yours, Lawrence, to be so punctilious.”