“You had not spoken to her then--till--” “Not till last night. I said before the governor of the prison and Mrs. Innes that we were husband and wife. If you please, ma'am, we shall have the proper ceremony as soon as possible.” “I wish I had known,” said Alexa--almost to herself, with a troubled smile. “I wish you had, ma'am,” responded Andrew. She raised her face with a look of confidence. “Will you please to forget, Andrew?” Nobility had carried the day. She had not one mean thought either of him or the girl. “To forget is not in man's power, ma'am; but I shall never think a thought you would wish unthought.” She held out her hand to him. They were friends forever. “Will you be married here, Andrew? The house is at your service,” she said. “Don't you think it ought to be at her father's, ma'am?” “You are right,” said Alexa; and she sat down. Andrew stood in silence, for he saw she was meditating something. At length she raised her head, and spoke. “You have been compelled to take the step sooner than you intended--have you not?” “Yes, ma'am.” “Then you can hardly be so well prepared as you would like to be!” “We shall manage.” “It will hardly be convenient for your mother, I fear! You have nowhere else to take her--have you?” “No, ma'am; but my mother loves us both. And,” he added, simply, “where there's room for me, there's room for her now!” “Would you mind if I asked you how your parents take it?” “They don't say much. You see, ma'am, we are all proud until we learn that we have one Master, and we all are brethren. But they will soon get over it.” When I see a man lifting up those that are beneath him, not pulling down those that are above him, I will believe in his communism. Those who most resent being looked down upon, are in general the readiest to look down upon others. It is not principle, it is not truth, it is themselves they regard. Of all false divinities, Self is the most illogical. “If God had been the mighty monarch they represent Him,” continued Andrew, “He would never have let us come near Him!” “Did you hear Mr. Rackstraw's sermon on the condescension of God?” asked Alexa. “The condescension of God, ma'am! There is no such thing. God never condescended, with one Jove-like nod, all his mighty, eternal life! God condescend to His children--their spirits born of His spirit, their hearts the children of His heart! No, ma'am! there never was a falser, uglier word in any lying sermon!” His eyes flashed and his face shone. Alexa thought she had never seen him look so grand. “I see!” she answered. “I will never use the word about God again!” “Thank you, ma'am.” “Why should you thank me?” “I beg your pardon; I had no right to thank you. But I am so tried with the wicked things said about God by people who think they are speaking to His pleasure and not in his despite, that I am apt to talk foolishly. I don't wonder at God's patience with the wicked, but I do wonder at His patience with the pious!”