"Forgive me, I am very selfish," he replied, "but it must be very soon or not for long weary months, while an ocean will roll between us; to say nothing of the hundreds of miles of land that will separate us besides." "What can you mean?" she asked, with a start and look of surprise and dismay. Then he told her of his inheritance in England and the unfortunate necessity it entailed of a speedy visit there. It could not well be deferred till the ensuing spring, and must therefore be undertaken soon if he would avoid the dangerous storms likely to be encountered in the fall. "And you must go?" she said, struggling to keep back her tears. "Yes," he sighed. "I cannot tell you how hard it is to think of leaving you just now, or how sweet it would be to call you mine before I go; and to know that, if anything should befall me, you would--" "Oh, don't, don't!" she cried, the tears coming now in good earnest, "I can't bear it! I--I think you might ask me to go with you." "Would you, oh, would you?" he exclaimed joyously. "My dear girl, how very sweet and kind in you to propose it." "Did I?" she asked, smiling through her tears, as she gently released herself from his enraptured embrace. "I thought I only suggested the propriety of your asking me." "I feel very selfish in so doing, dearest Nell," he said, "but will you go?" "Yes, if you really want me and will take me." "Only too gladly, ah, you cannot doubt that, but have you thought of the long, tedious journey overland, and the dangers of the voyage?" "Yes; and how can I let you meet them alone?" "Ah, my darling, you are the most unselfish of women," he exclaimed, regarding her with tender, loving admiration, "and I the happiest of men." "But," said Nell presently, "you will have a poorly attired bride. I shall have no time to get new dresses made." "Very much wiser to wait for that till we reach New York, London or Paris," he answered, with his grave, tender smile. "'Tis the bird I would secure, sweet one, and I care not for the color or quality of the feathers she may wear." So it was all settled, after a little more talk, and in a week they would be setting off for Europe on their wedding tour. Great were Clare's astonishment and delight when she heard the news. "Just the match I've always wanted for you, Nell, even when I'd no idea he was going to be so rich." "He didn't say it would be riches," returned the young lady, supremely indifferent to such trifles. "But I dare say it will. At all events you are going to Europe for your wedding trip. Won't the other girls envy you? Yet I don't know, Nell, I should be afraid of the sea. What if you should be drowned?" "I hope we shall not," Nell answered gravely, "but even if we should, I'd rather die with Kenneth than live without him. And as to the envy the other girls may feel, I should think it would be because of him rather than anything else," she added, her cheeks glowing and her eyes shining.