Guly pressed her to his heart and they plighted troth. This was but boy and girl love, but it was a love which decayed not, neither did it fade, but flourished and grew, even with the hand of sorrow and trial crushing out its young life. CHAPTER XXXVII. "Will fortune never come with both hands full, But write her fair words still in fairest letters? She either gives a stomach and no food-- Such are the poor in wealth; or else a feast, And takes away the stomach--such are the rich, That have abundance, and enjoy it not." Shakspeare. Della sat rocking by the fire, looking pale and ill, and Bernard was fondly hanging over her chair. Minny sat a little way apart, holding upon her lap the first-born babe--a boy--"the darling of their een." Never was a happier father, never a prouder and more delighted mother. "Bernard," said Della, looking up in her husband's face, "I have a plan to propose." "What is it, dearest?" "Will you grant it?" "Perhaps." "Well, I think that now little Bernard is old enough to do a little while without me, and what I have to propose is, that you send me in the country, to visit our friends, and to regain my health, which you know is sadly impaired, while Minny stays home, and takes care of you, and plays mother to baby; what say you?" "And leave me a widower?" "Just a little while." "And why not take the boy and Minny with you?" "Oh, that would never do. Must leave my cares behind, when I go for my health, you know." "Poor child! it seems strange to hear you talking of cares, you who were born to so much wealth and luxury." "Hush, hush! you musn't talk so. Happy cares mine are, and you know it, though not just the ones to take with me on a visit. Now confess, that you never knew a happier little wife than yours, or a more joyous little household than ours." "True, in spite of our poverty." "Yes, in spite of everything. Love is our wealth, and we are so happy in the possession of it." "Yet you want to run away from us all!" "Yes, since you will have it so; do you consent?" "Submissively." It was so arranged, then, that Della should leave on one of the evening up-river boats, and the rest of the day was spent in the hurry and bustle of preparation. Though Minny had felt really unhappy at the idea of being left alone with Bernard, toward whom she stood in such a peculiar relation, she studiously concealed her feelings from Della, not wishing to mar the bright anticipations in which she was indulging; and, smothering her own forebodings, hoped for the best. The parting hour arrived, and with many charges, and tears, and warnings, Della clung to her husband and her baby, regretting, even at the last moment, that she had made up her mind to part with them. "Dear Bernard, I leave Minny in your charge; take precious care of her for my sake. A great charge I leave with you, dearest--my boy and dear Minny. You must be mother and sister till I come back."