When my heart began to return to its former gladness, I went away softly to my own room, thinking that no one would hear me, and that I might have a little time to myself; but when I had just gone, and was standing by the window, leaning my head upon it, looking out at his window, and shedding some quiet tears, Alice once more appeared upon me, with her candle in her hand. She did not speak at first, but went about the room on several little pretences, waiting for me to address her; then she said, "Will I leave the light, Miss Hester?" and stood gazing at me wistfully from beside the dressing-table. I only said, "Stay, Alice," under my breath, but her anxious ear heard it. She put down the light at once, and went away to a distant corner of the room, where she pretended to be doing something, for she would not hasten me, though she was very anxious--it was pure love and nothing else, the love of Alice. "Alice!" She came to me in a moment. I had just drawn down the blind, and I crept close to her, as I used to do when I was a child. "Do you know what has happened, Alice?" I said. "Dear, I have had my thoughts," said Alice, "is it so then? and does your papa give his consent?" "Oh! papa is very cruel--very cruel!" cried I bitterly, "he does not care for me, Alice. He cares nothing for me! he says it must be in three weeks, and speaks to me as if punctilio and preparations were all I cared for. It is very hard to bear--he will force me to go away and leave him, when perhaps he is dying. Oh! Alice, it is very hard." "Yes, my darling--yes, my darling!" said Alice vaguely; "and will I live to dress another bride? oh! God bless them--God bless them! evil has been in the house, and distress, and sorrow--oh! that it may be purged and cleansed for them." "What do you mean? what house, Alice?" I cried in great astonishment. Alice drew her hand slowly over her brow and said, "I was dreaming, do not mind me, Miss Hester. I dressed your mamma, darling, and you'll let me dress my own dear child." "No one else shall come near me, Alice; but think of it," cried I in despair, "in three weeks--and it _must_ be. I think it will kill me. My father used to care for me, Alice, but now he is only anxious to send me away." "Miss Hester, it is your father's way; and he has his reasons," said my kind comforter; "think of your own lot, how bright it is, and your young bridegroom that loves you dearly; think of him." "Yes, Alice," I said very humbly, but I could not help starting at the name she gave him, it was so very sudden: every time I thought of it, it brought a pang to my heart.