Not the least obstacle was set in the way of his association with Clara, yet Traverse, grown stronger and wiser than his years would seem to promise, controlled both his feelings and his actions, and never departed from the most respectful reserve, or suffered himself to be drawn into that dangerous familiarity to which their constant companionship might tempt him. Marah Rocke, with maternal pride, witnessed his constant self-control and encouraged him to persevere. Often in the enthusiasm of her heart, when they were alone, she would throw her arm around him, and push the dark, clustering curls from his fine forehead, and, gazing fondly on his face, exclaim: "That is my noble-hearted boy! Oh, Traverse, God will bless you! He only tries you now to strengthen you!" Traverse always understood these vague words and would return her embrace with all his boyish ardor and say: "God does bless me now, mother! He blesses me so much, in so many, many ways, that I should be worse than a heathen not to be willing to bear cheerfully one trial?" And so Traverse would "reck his own rede" and cultivate cheerful gratitude as a duty to God and man. Clara, also, now, with her feminine intuition, comprehended her reserved lover, honored his motives and rested satisfied with being so deeply loved, trusting all their unknown future to heaven. The doctor's appreciation and esteem for Traverse increased with every new unfolding of the youth's heart and intellect, and never did master take more pains with a favorite pupil, or father with a beloved son, than did the doctor to push Traverse on in his profession. The improvement of the youth was truly surprising. Thus passed the summer in healthful alternation of study and exercise. When the season waned, late in the autumn, he went a second time to Washington to attend the winter's course of lectures at the Medical College. The doctor gave him letters recommending him as a young man of extraordinary talents and of excellent moral character, to the particular attention of several of the most eminent professors. His mother bore this second parting with more cheerfulness, especially as the separation was enlivened by frequent letters from Traverse, full of the history of the present and the hopes of the future. The doctor did not forget from time to time to jog the memories of his friends, the professors of the medical college, that they might afford his protege every facility and assistance in the prosecution of his studies. Toward spring Traverse wrote to his friends that his hopes were sanguine of obtaining his diploma at the examination to be held at the end of the session. And when Traverse expressed this hope, they who knew him so well felt assured that he had made no vain boast. And so it proved, for early in April Traverse Rocke returned home with a diploma in his pocket. Sincere was the joyful sympathy that met him.