Morgan, too, had gone back to his work, but it was harder for him than for Eve. She had no part to sustain--no love to simulate. And she had the consolation of his mother's friendship, and the sad delight of reading his letters. In those letters no mention was ever made of her; but they told of a life of daily struggles--a life whose best comfort was found in labour. Eve and Mrs. Foster wept over them together, and clung to each other with a new tenderness. The mother had faith, and she believed that her son would be set free. She ventured, once or twice, to say this to Eve, but the girl shook her head. "No," she said, "we must not look for that. We ought rather to pray that the ties may grow pleasant instead of irksome." "I don't know," replied Mrs. Foster, thoughtfully. "I almost think it is best to pray for the freedom. It was not the right kind of feeling, Eve, that led him to propose to Miss Channell. He was startled into it, and it really seemed at first as if that were the way that God meant him to go." "He should have stood still, and just have waited for guidance," Eve remarked, sadly. "Yes, I know that," admitted the mother. "But do not most of our troubles come to us because we will not wait? We all find it easier to run than to stand still." While these other hearts were throbbing with restless pain, Nelly Channell was serenely happy. She complained at times that Morgan was working too hard, and wearing himself out, but she never thought of attributing his wan looks to any cause save that of over-exertion. But Robert Channell had a keener sight; and he began to ask himself, uneasily, if he had been right in letting this engagement come to pass? In his heart of hearts he owned that he had been secretly anxious to secure the curate for his daughter. It was the desire of his life that Nelly should marry a good man, and Morgan Foster was the best man that had as yet come in her way. Perhaps he, too, had been running when he ought to have stood still. He began to think that this was the case. But how could he undo what was done? In his perplexity he talked the matter over with his wife. And she admitted that the curate did not seem to be quite at ease in Nelly's company. There was a shadow upon him. It might be a consciousness of failing health, or---- "Or of failing love," said Mr. Channell, finishing her sentence. "If that is it, Rhoda, it is a miserable affair indeed! We ought to have made them wait before we sanctioned the engagement. But you know I wanted to keep her safe from those selfish, worldly men who have been seeking her." "We are always afraid to trust God with anything dear to us," answered Mrs. Channell, sadly. "But if Morgan Foster has mistaken his own feelings, Robert, it will be hard to condemn him, and equally hard to forgive him."