Eosalind. I have never seen sin and wickedness flourish any
where so rapidly and so vigorously as where it has been decked
in the masquerading trappings of religion. I hate sin, Rosalind,
and I have thrown aside for ever the hateful garb in which I
have been used to see it clothed. If there be a God;, can I
stand guilty before his eyes for this ? "

^^ Oh yes ! most guilty I If you have found hypocrisy and
sin, turn from it with all the loathing that you will ; and be
very sure, let it wear what mask it will, that religion is not
there. Look then elsewhere for it. Be not frightened by a
bugbears a phantom, from seeking what it is so precious to find !
Dearest Henrietta • will you not listen to me ? — will you not
promise for a while to tiun your thoughts from every lighter
thing, till you are able to form a surer judgment upon this } "

" Dearest } — Do you call me dear, and dearest, Rosalind ?
Know you that I have lived in almost abject terror lest you
should discover the condition of my mind .J* I thought you would
hate and shun me. — Rosalind Torrington! you are a beautiful
specimen, and a very rare one. To please you, and to approach
you if I could, I would read much, and thiwkvcv^ xeasss^^ossst^,
z a



340 THE YIOAR OF WBEXHILL.
and try to hope again, as I did once, until I was stretched upon
the torturing rack of fear : but there is no time left me I'*

" Do not say that, dear friend," said Rosalind, gently
drawing Henrietta's cold and trembling arm within her own.
