"Because He would do it," said Phoebe. "I don't know how. It might be by changing my Lady Delawarr's mind, or the old lord's, or yours; or many another way; I don't know how. But I do know that He has promised to bring no temptation on those that fear Him, beyond what they shall be able to bear." "Oh, I don't know!" said Gatty, in that tone which makes the word sound like a cry of pain. "Have you tried entreating my Lady Delawarr?" "Tried! I should think so. And what do you think I get by it? `Gatty, my dear, 'tis so unmodish to be thus warm over anything! Compose yourself, and control your feelings. Love!--no, of course you do not love my Lord Polesworth, while you are yet a maid; 'twould be highly indecorous for you to do any such thing. But when you are his wife, you'll be perfectly content; and that is all you can expect. My dear, do compose yourself, or your face will be quite wrinkled; and let me hear no more of this nonsense, I beg of you. Maids cannot look to choose for themselves, 'tis not reasonable.' That is what I get, Phoebe." "And your father, Mrs Gatty?" "My father? Oh! `Really, Gatty, I can't interfere,--'tis your mother's affair; you must make up your mind to it. We can't have always what we like,'--and then he whistles to his hounds, and goes out a-hunting." "Well, Mrs Gatty, suppose you try God?" "Suppose I have done, Phoebe, and got no answer at all?" "Forgive me, I cannot suppose it." "Is He so good to _you_, Phoebe?" The question was asked in a very, very mournful tone. "Mrs Gatty," said Phoebe, softly, "He has given me Himself. I do not think He has given me anything else of what my heart longs for. But that is enough. In Him I have all things." "What do you mean?" came in accents of perplexity from the bed in the opposite corner. "I am afraid," said Phoebe, "I cannot tell you. I mean, I could not make you understand it." "`Given you Himself!'" repeated Gatty. "I can fancy how He could reward you or make you happy; but, `give you Himself!'" "Well, I cannot explain it," said Phoebe. "Yes, it means giving happiness; but it means a great deal more. I can feel it, but I cannot put it in words." "I don't understand you the least bit!" "Will you talk awhile with Mrs Dolly Jennings, and see if she can explain it to you? I do not think any one can, in words; but I guess she would come nearer to it than I could." "I like Mrs Dolly," said Gatty, thoughtfully; "she is very kind." "Very," assented Phoebe. "I think I should not mind talking to her," said Gatty. "We will walk down there to-morrow, if we can get leave." "And now, had we not better go to sleep?" suggested Phoebe.