"There is my hand--my heart was yours long ago," murmured the maiden, in a tremulous voice. He took and pressed that white hand to his heart, looked hesitatingly and pleadingly in her face for an instant, and then, drawing her gently to his bosom, sealed their betrothal on her pure lips. Then they sat side by side, and hand in hand, in a sweet silence for a few moments, and then Clara said: "You have not told your mother yet! Go and tell her, Traverse; it will make her so happy! And Traverse, I will be a daughter to her, while you are gone. Tell her that, too." "Dear girl, you have always been as kind and loving to my mother as it was possible to be. How can you ever be more so than you have been?" "I shall find a way!" smiled Clara. Again he pressed her hand to his heart and to his lips, and left the room to find his mother. He had a search before he discovered her at last in the drawing-room, arranging it for their evening fireside gathering. "Come, mother, and sit down by me on this sofa, for I have glorious tidings for your ear! Dear Clara sent me from her own side to tell you!" "Ah, still thinking--always thinking, madly thinking of the doctor's daughter! Poor, poor boy!" said Mrs. Rocke. "Yes, and always intend to think of her to the very end of my life, and beyond, if possible! But come, dear mother, and hear me explain!" said Traverse, and as soon as Mrs. Rocke had taken the indicated seat, Traverse commenced and related to her the substance of the conversation between the doctor and himself in the library, in which the former authorized his addresses to his daughter, and also his own subsequent explanation and engagement with Clara. Mrs. Rocke listened to all this, in unbroken silence, and when, at length, Traverse had concluded his story, she clasped her hands and raised her eyes, uttering fervent thanksgivings to the fountain of all mercies. "You do not congratulate me, dear mother." "Oh, Traverse, I am returning thanks to heaven on your behalf! Oh, my son! my son; but that such things as these are Providential, I should tremble to see you so happy! So I will not presume to congratulate! I will pray for you!" "Dear mother, you have suffered so much in your life that you are incredulous of happiness! Be more hopeful and confiding! The Bible says, 'There remaineth now these three--Faith, Hope and Charity--but the greatest of all is Charity.' You have Charity enough, dear mother; try to have more Faith and Hope, and you will be happier! And look--there is Clara coming this way! She does not know that we are here. I will call her. Dear Clara, come in and convince my mother--she will not believe in our happiness," said Traverse, going to the door and leading his blushing and smiling betrothed into the room. "It may be that Mrs. Rocke does not want me for a daughter-in-law," said Clara, archly, as she approached and put her hand in that of Marah.