I would rather make people religious through their best feelings than their worst,--through their gratitude and affections, rather than their fears and calculations of risk and punishment." Mr.Simcox stared.
"Does she say her prayers ?" "I have taught her a short one." "Did she learn it readily ?" "Lord love her, yes! When I told her she ought to pray to God to bless her benefactor, she would not rest till I had repeated a prayer out of our Sunday School book, and she got it by heart at once." "Enough, Mr.Simcox.I will not detain you longer." Forgetful of his untasted breakfast, Maltravers continued his meerschaum and his reflections: he did not cease, till he had convinced himself that he was but doing his duty to Alice, by teaching her to cultivate the charming talent she evidently possessed, and through which she might secure her own independence.

He fancied that he should thus relieve himself of a charge and responsibility which often perplexed him.

Alice would leave him, enabled to walk the world in an honest professional path.

It was an excellent idea.

"But there is danger," whispered Conscience.