theory. She had a more serious vein of humor than was indicated by her trifling manner of conversation.
Milly could detect in many a homely phrase and jesting remark, a depth of thought that suggested original ideas to her own reflections, and she never wearied of her, if she did sometimes leave her to pursue her theme of discussion alone. She admired her unceasing activity, if sometimes culminating, for the sake of diversion, in the nonsensical affair of "Syke's wedding," which might be of more value in enlivening some low-spirited invalid, than all her idle dreaming of a world renovated by a philosophy she could never expect to be put in practice. It was easy enough in the solitude of her chamber to dissect men's motives and analyze their main-springs of action, building up a logical basis of principles for the reconstruction of society which would ameliorate some of these social evils, but let her take her theory outside, and what was it? Most fitly expressed by Kate, a mere cobweb, the first contact with the world swept away. And thus she dreamed on, yet perhaps not idly. Every pure and elevating thought that comes into the mind is worthy of reception there, and should be welcomed as a heavenly guest leading us higher in aspiration until the subtle fetters that bind us to a selfish ambition and the love of worldly approbation melt away in the approving smile of Him who created us to be heirs to his glorious promises.
There are chimerical dreamers, mere visionary enthusiasts, both pure in motive and earnest in thought, whose labors are barren of practical results,
