"Stop; I am going to carry you," said Hugh. "You shall do nothing of the kind, Hugh. I am able to walk, and the bank is steep." "I shall take you round by the path, so don't make any objection, for it will be useless. The farmer will have his carriage waiting for us, and we shall drive home as rapidly as possible." "Oh, Hugh, I am so heavy! You will never be able to do it," said Bessie, as Hugh lifted her slight form muffled in shawls. "Very heavy! Really, quite elephantine! A matter of ninety pounds, I should say!" "Nonsense, sir! I weigh one hundred and ten." "And what is that to a man of muscle? Don't you know that I pride myself upon my strength! The old proverb _says_ that cleanliness is next to godliness; if that is so, I give the third place to strength. What a pity we cannot say 'muscleness,' to keep up the rhythm! Do you know, Bessie, if ministers had more muscle, I should like them better." "Mr. Leslie has muscle, Hugh." "Yes; he has got a good strong fist of his own. I like him, too, in every way. He is so manly in his goodness, and so frank in his religion! He is one of those fine, large-hearted men who give their very best to the cause. He did not take to the ministry because he was not fitted for anything else; he has the capabilities and qualifications for a first-rate business man, civil engineer, or soldier. But it is evident that the whole world was as nothing to him compared to the great work of salvation. I honor him. He is a man to be envied, for he is living up to his ideal." "Why, Hugh! I had no idea you admired him so much! Are you thinking of following his example?" "Don't joke, Bessie. The subject is too serious." "I am not joking," said Bessie, in a low voice. "I am no hero," said Hugh, with a half sigh, as they reached the lane; "I could never do as Mr. Leslie has done. I can only hope to make others happy in my small way by--" "By helping ill-behaved cousins out of their troubles," interrupted Bessie, "paying their debts, saving their lives, and so forth and so forth." The ride home was pleasant, in spite of wet clothes. Hugh drove the farmer's horse in an old carryall, and the farmer himself rode Hugh's horse, leading the other alongside. When they reached the back-pasture it was quite dark. Hugh lifted Bessie out, threw the shawls back into the carryall, and farmer Brown, after fastening the saddle-horses behind, drove away towards the town, where he was to leave them at the livery-stable according to agreement. "Now, Bessie, take up that skirt, and let us have a run across the garden," said Hugh. "I am so afraid you will take cold." But Bessie's long, wet skirt proved such an obstacle, that in spite of her objection, Hugh lifted her up again, and carried her across the pasture, through the garden, and up the terrace into the house. "Shall you go to the musicale?" he whispered, as he put her down in the dark hall.