"Not for me," he cried. "Natural simplicity of heart and intellect has a charm for me. A man wishes to form, to educate his wife, not to find her opinions already fixed," he cried, his voice assuming a sudden tenderness of expression. Her eyes were raised to his for a moment, and then lowered. They walked on for a time in silence. "Helena," he said, "it is true that the idea of quiet, simple usefulness in the country attracts me more and more; and it is also true that your society has greatly influenced me." She walked on in silence. "When a man relinquishes the intellectual pleasures of the great world," he added, "he naturally seeks some equivalent; and this equivalent I find in my family, my home. I shall remain here to assist your father in his spiritual office. I shall experience double happiness in my labours, if my own heart finds a lovely flower to reward my unassuming industry. Helena," he continued, with animation, "shall you find no satisfaction in uniting with me to support and cheer the evening of your father's life, and in assisting me in my holy calling? Will you not stand at my side as a help-mate, such as your mother was to your father?" The young girl walked on, her eyes fixed on the ground. A deep sigh heaved her breast. "Cousin----" "It does not become me, a servant of the Church," he interrupted, "to speak to you in the manner and the tone in which a man of the world might declare his love; pure and bright must be the flame which holds a place in the heart of a minister. But such a flame my heart offers you, Helena; and I ask you, plainly and candidly, will you accept what my heart can give, and do you believe you can thus find the quiet happiness of your life?" She stood still, and looked at him calmly and honestly. "Your words surprise me, cousin. I did not expect to hear this, and so suddenly----" "The relations between us must be made clear," he said. "For this reason I have told you the feelings of my heart. A minister cannot woo as a man of the world; you cannot be surprised at that, being yourself the daughter of a minister." "But consider," she said hesitatingly, "we scarcely know each other." "Have you no confidence in me?" he asked. "Could you not accept me as your support through life?" She looked on the ground. A deep blush spread over her face. "But one must also----" "Well, what?" he asked, and with piercing glance he gazed at her anxiously. "Love," she whispered. "And that you believe you could not feel for me?" he enquired. Again she looked up at him. Again she sighed deeply, and her eyes were for a moment turned dreamily to the distance. Then a slight, half roguish smile came to her lips, and she whispered,-- "One cannot tell beforehand!" "Beforehand?" he said, and a darker expression passed over his face.