But tears were dried, as the enthusiasm which lighted the face of the reader--as her topic turned to their future life--was communicated to those who listened. She spoke to her classmates of the duties which devolved on them as women; of the strength which they should gather in life's sunshine, for the storm and the trial which _would_ come. That their part in life was to shed a hallowed but _unseen_ influence over its strife and discord-- "Sitting by the fireside of the heart Feeding it flames." "In that stillness which best becomes a woman, Calm and holy." And when she ceased, and the gathered crowd turned slowly from the threshold, many hearts--beating in proud and manly bosoms--felt stronger and purer for the words they had that hour listened to, from one who, young as she was, had learned to think, and to act, with a sound judgment, and bold independence in the cause of truth, which shamed them in their vacillation. Young Howard was leaning behind a vine-wreathed pillar, to watch the one in whom he had that day become strangely interested. His heart beat fast as she approached his hiding-place, and then sunk within him, as he noted the warm blush which stole over her face, as two gentlemen, whom he had not before noticed, came to greet her. "Dear sister," said one, kissing her burning cheek, "have I not reason to be proud of you." The other, older by ten years than the first speaker, grasped the hand which she timidly extended to him, and whispered, "I, too, am proud of my future wife." Howard did not hear the words, but the look which accompanied that warm pressure of the hand did not escape him. It destroyed at once hopes, which he had not dreamed before were fast rising in his breast, and he turned almost sadly away from that happy group to join his sister. "See," said the young girl, as she took his arm, "there is Mr. Loring, one of the finest-looking men I know of, and belongs to as proud family as any in Boston, yet he is going to throw himself away on Mary Gordon. To be sure he is only a poor country clergyman, but he might do better if he chose, I'm sure." Her brother thought _that_ was hardly possible, though he did not say so; neither did he add--lest he should vex his foolishly aristocratic sister--that but for Mr. Loring the chances were that she would be called upon, so far as his inclinations were concerned, to receive Miss Gordon not as a room-mate, but as a sister, before the year was ended. CHAPTER V. THE BRIDE AND THE WIFE.