“Always faith in Mark! Suppose he should be going away in a few days, and suppose he should wish to marry and take you with him?” “In that case, I should wish to go, dear uncle. Have you done with me now, sir?” asked Rosalie, really distressed by the length and closeness of the examination to which she had been subjected. “Yes, you may go!” answered the old gentleman, rising, and holding the door open for her to pass. And Rosalie left the study. In the lower hall she saw Mark Sutherland. He came to meet her, drew her arm within his own, and then they both walked into the garden. “Well, dear Rosalie, do you know that I shall probably leave here in the course of a week?” “My uncle has just hinted it to me. Where do you go?” “Back to the village of S——, to take possession of an established office about to be vacated by my friend Lauderdale, who is coming on here, upon an errand of which you are already apprised, my dear Rosalie.” “Yes, I know mamma and Mr. Lauderdale will be united next month.” “Well, dear Rosalie?” “Well?” “I am going away in a week—must we then part?” “Not unless you wish to go and leave me behind, Mark.” “Wish to leave you behind! In leaving you I should turn my back upon my guiding star, my inspiration, my life!” “Then I accompany you, Mark.” “Your friends, Rose, will they not raise serious opposition?” “No! I have neither father nor mother, and there are no other friends who have any wish to rule me, or any interest in doing so. My young step-mother is going to break the conventional tie between herself and me by marrying a second time; and with her _own_ heart under the gentle influence of happiness, she will not be disposed to wring mine. As for my uncle, his son has brought a wife home now, who will be the mistress of his house, and he no longer requires my presence in that capacity. Indeed, I might even be considered in the way. And neither am I disposed to take a second place in a household of which I have hitherto been at the head. And that reminds me that I am at the head of it _still_, and that the duties of the position press upon me every hour—even now,” said Rosalie, moving to go. He caught her hand to detain her. “Stay—do not leave me just yet. And so, my dearest Rosalie, when I go forth you will accompany me?” “I have said that if you wish it—yes, I will accompany you.” “God bless you, dearest Rose!” burst from his lips with impassioned fervour. “But, my dear girl—my fairy, fragile girl—do you know what women in the far West have to encounter? hardships from which the most robust shrink; hardships from which the strong and beautiful India shrank; and will my pale, frail Rosalie dare them? and can she bear them?”