"Of course, and when is the ceremony to be? Remember how patient I've been." "Must I promise to obey?" she asked, with mock solemnity. "You shall promise nothing but to be my wife, and that in all the duties arising from the relation, you will take the Bible for your rule. That is easy, isn't it?" "Oh, Frederic! I forgot to tell you that breakfast is ready; and that I left your father standing in the hall." "Not one step do I go until this question is settled. Shall it be to-day?" "No; no indeed!" "To-morrow, then?" "Why, I can't even get unpacked." He noticed the quiver in her voice, and, taking her hand within his arm, led her down to the table where Mr. Knowles was seated, with a cup of coffee before him. "Have you any message for Maytown, father?" he asked, quietly. "One of my neighbors will start for that place directly after breakfast, to accompany mother and Sybil back here. Helen wishes them to be present at our wedding, which will take place on Thursday evening." "Oh, Frederic! I didn't say so." "We will also procure a preacher for Maytown, so that you can extend your visit here, and notify Frank of the time of the ceremony." The young girl darted from the room, and ran up to talk with her aunt. "Mr. Knowles has deserved your submission to his wishes, my child. It was a severe trial to him to have you leave the country last fall." "I wish," faltered the blushing girl, "that my return might be kept secret, at least, until after—after the wedding." "I think we can manage that, my dear." How glad she always was she consented. Mr. Knowles appeared as well as usual on Wednesday and Thursday morning. But in the afternoon he had a long talk with Frank, who, in answer to Frederic's hasty summons, had just arrived; and afterward complained of extreme languor. He lay on the sofa resting, for an hour or more, and then said he was relieved. Once or twice Sybil heard him talking to himself: "I am grieved. It is a reproach to religion. It has dishonored Christ." He referred to Mr. Tracy, of whom Frank had been speaking. "I wouldn't worry about it, father," Sybil expostulated. "No," he answered, "the day will come when the chaff will be winnowed from the wheat. Christ will know his own and claim them. There will be no hypocrites in heaven, none to wound the Saviour in the house of his friends." A cup of tea, which Helen insisted on preparing to his taste, with her own hands, much refreshed him, so that he went through the marriage service with a firm voice. After the ceremony, he placed his hands on the heads of the new couple, as they instinctively knelt to receive his blessing. And every eye grew moist as they listened to his words of love.