"Were we not very happy, Roland? now I am so much older--we have both seen sorrow, you the most; and I too have tasted of the cup--and now it is so solemn to live, Roland, to have the charge of so much property, and to be responsible as a steward for all that God has given to me. Papa told me that I might choose my own guardian; I have no male relations, and no one but you--will you not take charge of my estate, Roland?" "It is a great responsibility, but I cannot well decline it; I shall be but too happy if I can serve you." "I want some one to teach me how to take care of it, and how to use it for the good of my fellow-creatures. I saw such a beautiful example in the Countess of N---- and her noble husband; they seemed just to live to do good to their own family, and the people all around them. I have commenced my little school again, and it is growing fast; I shall soon want a teacher; then I must have a reading-room for the factory-men, a missionary for the neighborhood, and, after a while, a dear little church of my own." Roland listened to the young enthusiast with a glowing heart, for she was running on with a smiling face, and such an earnest, happy expression. The tears were gone--April had passed, and smiling May fanned its breezes around the two, as they sat under those shady trees. She was playing with a sprig of hearts'-ease while she was talking. "What a sweet flower you have, Madeline!" "Yes, it is one of my favorites; I have so many at Woodcliff." "Won't you give it to me, Madeline?" "What! my hearts'-ease, Roland! There, take it; I wish it were not so faded." Placing it in a button-hole of his coat, he smiled as he said, "That is an emblem of yourself, Madeline, or what you used to be--my own little hearts'-ease." "Well, truly! Roland Bruce paying compliments! Take care, good sir; don't become a flatterer." "I speak truth, Madeline; but let us talk a little more about this trust that you wish me to undertake--are you very careful about your accounts, Madeline? you should make a regular entry of every day's expenditure, calculate your income, put apart so much for your charities, and so much for your daily wants--but never run into debt." Madeline began to smile. "Well, good sir! it seems so funny for little Mad-cap to be sitting here listening to a lecture from her guardian, little Roland of the Maple Lane School--you are getting on pretty fast, I think, and it will not be long before we hear that eloquent speech that I have so often talked about." Roland was suddenly depressed; for when he looked upon the young heiress of so large an estate, and himself, her guardian, he felt more than ever repelled from thoughts that would sometimes rise up in his heart with visions of domestic bliss.