"I did not know it, Roland, but I wish that you had refused me when alone; it was so mortifying to be treated just like a----child!" and she sobbed out the latter word, and threw herself upon his bosom; "and then to see the look of triumph and contempt in Lavinia's face, and surprise and pain on Aunt Matilda's." "What need you care, my love, for the opinions of the world, if you only know that you are right? It is right to avoid the society of the impure, and it is right to be guided by your husband--is it not, dear?" Madeline turned her eyes full upon Roland's noble face, so full of sorrow, and tender feeling. He had fully conquered; and she wound her arms around his neck, as she whispered, "Forgive me, dear Roland, you are always right--this is just some of the leaven of my old hateful pride." "And you the same sweet, ingenuous wife--do you think that I will ever allow any thing to approach you, Madeline, that can even breathe upon your reputation, or your happiness? now, darling--be comforted;" and he kissed again and again the half-smiling, tearful face. Madeline began to laugh, a little hysterically, at first, but at last the showers passed away, and she was herself again. Opening her secretary, she took out a draft of a church, which she had brought from England, a copy of the pretty Gothic building at Parkhurst. "I want to ask your advice, Roland, about this church; you won't refuse me dear, will you?" "It is very pretty, Madeline; but I think that we must have something added that is a little more useful." "O, yes! it wants a Sunday-school--we cannot have that in a building like this, without spoiling the proportions." "We can have a building by itself of the same style, and then, you know, that there must be a parsonage." "Yes, that is fixed--no church without a house for the minister; I think the time has come to set about building--but it will cost a great deal of money." "I will give a thousand, Madeline, out of my own means--I mean from my practice." "Can we not give two thousand, Roland?" "I think so, but we must be careful, dear, not to go beyond our ability, though our means are abundant; now, darling, come sit by me a moment," and Roland drew the young wife by his side upon the sofa, while he said softly, "Do you not sometimes regret your loss of liberty, Madeline? just tell me, darling, truly." "Never, Roland, in the depths of my heart--there may he ripples of the old pride disturbing the surface of my happiness; but the quiet ocean of love cannot be ruffled by these little passing winds," and she kissed her husband fondly; then rising said, "wait a minute, I must get my bonnet and mantle, for I have some purchases to make to-day." Returning soon, every trace of sadness had vanished, and with the old arch look of mischief in her face, she entered saying, with a mock reverence of profound obeisance,