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----- {{gardnp055.png}} || The Advocate ||


petticoat, says 'there is no virtue in woman.' But
I say, both these oracles are in the wrong; there is
not only a Divinity, but there are women too who
are virtuous. This is a clumsy jest, sir. My ward
be dishonored by your son? Yes, when the diamond
can be cut with a feather. Monsieur Montigny, a
tempest is as harmless as a breath, when that tempest
is being hurled against the rock; a breath is even as
effectual as is a tempest, when that breath is puffed
against the dust. So buzzing blandishments of sigh-
ing fops, may blow the frail flowerets from weak,
wanton natures; whilst vehement vows of otherwise
most honorable men, though urged as strongly as the
northern blast, are in vain against the marble front
of virtue. I am marble to your wishes."

"You weigh your danger as little as you do your
language," observed the seigneur. "Will you per-
mit a trespasser, a tempter within your grounds; a
wolf, a fox, a bear within your fold?"

The advocate shrugged his shoulders and replied:
"No, heaven forbid; -- and Stillyside is to me as an
outer court of heaven, wherein my ward dwells as a
sort of semi-solitary angel."

"Yet angels fell, and so may she fall," interjected
the seigneur quickly.

"They did, and without a tempter, too, Monsieur
Montigny," returned the advocate, quietly; then
added: "the height of heaven turned the heads of the
angels giddy."

"Girls are giddy," remarked the seigneur gravely.

"Boys are more frequently foolish," drily retorted
the advocate: "and often coming to girls for kisses, go
away with cuffs. I hope your son has neither sought


[[55]]

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