“Disappointing world altogether,” said Tom with a sigh. “What do you think we have just heard about Erica?” Brian's heart almost stopped beating; he hardly knew what he feared. “How can I tell?” he answered, hoarsely. “No bad news, I hope?” “She's gone and turned Christian,” said Tom, in a tone of deep disgust. Brian started. “Thank God!” he exclaimed, under his breath. “Confound it!” cried Tom. “I'd forgot you'd be triumphant. Good night,” and he marched off in high dudgeon. Brian did not even miss him. How could he at such a time? The weight of years had been lifted off his soul. A consuming happiness took possession of him; his whole being was a thanksgiving. By and by he went home, found his father in the study, and was about to speak, when Charles Osmond put an open letter into his hand. While Raeburn had written to his sister, Erica had written to her “prophet” a sad, happy, quaint letter exactly like herself. Its straightforward simplicity brought the tears to Brian's eyes. “It will be a fearful life for her now!” he exclaimed. “She will never be able to endure it. Father, now at last I may surely speak to her.” He spoke very eagerly. Charles Osmond looked grave. “My dear old fellow, of course you must do as you think best,” he replied, after a minute's pause; “but I doubt if it is wise just now.” “Why, it is the very time of all others when she might be glad of me,” said Brian. “But can't you see,” returned his father, “that Erica is the last girl in the world to marry a man because she was unhappy, or because she had got a difficult bit of life in front of her? Of course, if you really think she cares for you, it is different; but--” “She does not care for me,” said Brian quickly; “but in time I think she would. I think I could make her happy.” “Yes, I think you could, but I fancy you will make shipwreck of your hopes if you speak to her now. Have patience.” “I am sick of patience!” cried Brian desperately. “Have I not been patient for nearly seven years? For what would you have me wait? Am I to wait till, between our injustice to secularists and their injustice to Christians, she is half badgered out of life? If she could but love me, if she would marry me now, I could save her from what must be a life of misery.”