A knowledge of French is beginning to be considered as the pearl of great price, to gain which, all else must be sold.

The girls must go to the French theatre, and be stared at by French _debauchees_, who laugh at them while they pretend they understand what, thank Heaven, they cannot.

Then we are to have series of French novels, carefully translated, and puffed and praised even by the religious press, written by the corps of French female reformers, which will show them exactly how the naughty French women manage their cards; so that, by and by, we shall have the latest phase of eclecticism,--the union of American and French manners.

The girl will flirt till twenty _a l'Americaine_, and then marry and flirt till forty _a la Francaise_.
This was about Lillie's plan of life.

Could she hope to carry it out in Springdale?
.