Yet I sometimes wonder whether people realize how much harm this hysterical philanthropy--this purely sentimental faddism, does; how it retards the natural advance of civilization, throws dust in people's eyes, salves the easy conscience of the rich man, who bargains for immortality with a few strokes of the pen, and finds mischievous occupation for a good many weak minds and parasitical females.

Believe me, that all personal charity is a mistake.

It is a good deal worse than that.

It is a crime." Sybil rose up, and a little unusual flush had stained her cheeks.
"I still do not understand you in the least, Lord Arranmore," she said.
"It seems to me that you are making paradoxical and ridiculous statements, which only bewilder us.

Why is charity a crime?
That is what I should like to hear you explain." Lord Arranmore bowed slightly.
"I had no idea," he said, leaning his elbow upon the mantelpiece, "that I was going to be inveigled into a controversy.