"True--I am sorry--and yet, where another's happiness is concerned, one feels as if it were wrong to trust too much--even to Providence; with great reverence be it said--I mean, that in no given event can we exactly tell how much we are expected to use our own exertions, how much diligence on our part is required of us, in order to produce a happy result." "I agree with you quite and entirely; and if there is a thing that angers me beyond measure, it is to see a pious person fold his hands--sit down and trust the happiness of another to, as he says, Providence. If I have any just idea of Providence, an ample retribution will be in store for these sort of religionists." "Well, that is just as I feel--but in a sort of confused way. You say those things so much better than I do, Edgar." "Do I? Well, that is news to me." "But to return. Can not we do something for this good creature?" "I don't exactly see that we can do. Besides, there is your poor mother. Would you pull down all her little edifice of happiness, by taking Lettice away from her?" "That is a terrible consideration; and yet what was true of me is doubly and trebly true of Lettice. My darling mother would not hear of me relinquishing my happiness upon her account--and ought Lettice to be allowed to make such a sacrifice?" "Well, well, my dear, it is time enough to begin to deprecate such a sacrifice when the opportunity for it occurs, but I own I see little hope of a romance for your poor, dear Lettice, seeing that an important personage in such matters, namely, a hero, seems to me to be utterly out of the question. There is not a young gentleman within twenty miles, so far as I can see, that is in the least likely to think of the good girl." "Alas, no! that is the worst of it." But the romance of Lettice's life was nearer than they imagined. * * * * * The visit of Catherine at the Hazels cheered up Lettice very much; and in the delights of a little society with those of her own age, she soon forgot all her quarrels with herself; and brushed away the cobwebs which were gathering over her brain. She was enchanted, too, with the baby, and as she felt that, while Catherine was with her mother, she rather interfered with, than increased Mrs. Melwyn's enjoyment, she used to indulge herself with long walks through the beautiful surrounding country, accompanying the nurse and helping to carry the babe.