"I had better ascertain their wishes, John," said his mother, "and say we only wish to further them; and this once settled, you must come with me on board the yacht, so that your mother may have her own boy with her for a while. It will be better for you, as here you would be restless; and as to your plans for teaching Helga to ride, you can do so after you are married and are staying here." John caressed his mother and assented. Helga had filled the porcelain pipe after dinner, and Mrs. Hardy and Pastor Lindal sat in a garden seat in the grounds at Rosendal, the day following the decision of Mrs. Hardy's views for her son's wedding. "We should wish to obey any wishes you may have, Herr Pastor, as to the wedding," said Mrs. Hardy, after a general conversation with him. "John will remain at Rosendal for a month, and then go to England for the winter, and come to you again in May." The Pastor took several long pulls at his pipe and created a cloud of smoke. At last he said-- "I have not thought of it, Mrs. Hardy." And it was plain he had not. "I will, then, say what I think," said she. "The wedding should be at your church; and will you marry them?" "Certainly; it is my intention," he replied. "The wedding to be as quiet as possible," continued Mrs. Hardy, "and proprietor Jensen's daughters to be bridesmaids; and John has an old college friend who will come here to be his best man, and will return with me to England in the yacht, from Esbjerg." Mrs. Hardy's practical common sense impressed the Pastor; he assented sadly. "There is nothing to mourn over or regret, Herr Pastor, and you will feel the constant joy of knowing that she is happy with the man of her choice, and that as long as I live I will watch over her as my own; also the pleasure of looking forward to her stay in Denmark every summer will occupy and interest you." The Pastor smoked in silence, but his heart was sad. It was fortunate that John and Helga appeared, the latter laden with blooms gleaned in the valley of roses. Her face was bright with happiness. "Mrs. Hardy," she said, "John has persisted in picking rose after rose, holding them up to my cheek and telling me that I am the fairest rose, and that I am going to be the rose of Rosendal, and has teased me dreadfully." "I think John is right to say so, and to say so to you," said Mrs. Hardy, smiling kindly at her. The Pastor felt what Mrs. Hardy had once said, that we should love with our children's love, and the sadness left his face. He began to share his daughter's love for Hardy. Mrs. Hardy rose from her seat, and drew Helga away, and John had to be content to follow her with his eyes only.