'Yes,' I said, after a minute's silence, 'judging us from that standard, we have all failed. We are "condemned already." I don't believe, Captain Gates, that we can ever be in real earnest about having our souls saved till we realize our condemnation. The verse that made me miserable was this one: "He that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him."' 'Were you ever an unbeliever, then?' and Captain Gates looked at me curiously as he spoke. 'Of course I believed _about_ Jesus Christ,' I replied in a low voice, 'but I didn't believe _in_ Him. I hadn't come to Him and accepted my pardon at His hands. I didn't understand that, however good I might try to be, I could never expect to enter heaven unless I was washed and cleansed by Him.' There was silence, and I was afraid I had been too outspoken. Then, as we were passing a bush, with the most lovely honeysuckle at the top of it, I stopped and asked him if he would get me some. This he willingly did, and as he handed me some beautiful sprays of it said,-- 'There is no uncertain sound about your preaching, Miss Thorn. I believe you could do something with me if you were to try, but your doctrines are strange to me, and it will take me some time to get reconciled to them. You must take me in hand; will you?' I looked up, and our eyes met. Again I wondered if he were sincere. 'I think you will find all you need in the Bible,' I said; and then I changed the conversation. A few minutes after we met some of the others, and when we came down to the river's side Violet seized hold of my arm. 'Hilda, you come in our boat. I had an awfully dull time of it coming here. I think I was put in to act gooseberry, and I'm not going to do it again. Do come!' 'I will, of course, if Constance likes.' And that was the order in which we came home, for Mrs. Forsyth never appeared at all. I was not surprised when Nelly came to me the last thing at night, as she was so fond of doing, and announced,-- 'Well, it is all settled. Constance and Mr. Stroud are engaged, and I wish her joy of him. Mother is pleased, because he has a nice little property; but I wouldn't have him for all the properties in creation. He is a regular stick, and hasn't a spark of fun in him. I only hope he won't stay on here after next week. Both he and Captain Gates said they must go when the Walkers' theatricals are over.' 'Is Constance very happy about it?' I asked. 'She seems to be, in her way. Of course, everything is rose colour to-night. Hilda, do you like Captain Gates?' 'Yes, I like him pretty well,' I said. Nelly came up and put both hands on my shoulders. 'Now, look me straight in the face, and say that again.' 'I don't know what you mean,' I said, confronting her steadily.