"Frank!" he said, and silently pressed my hand. "Ernest," was all I could reply, and we stood in silence--both trembling, agitated--and gazing into each other's eyes. The good Clergyman was happy that evening, as he sat at the supper table, with Frank on one hand and Ernest on the other. And old Alice peering at us through her spectacles could not help remarking, "Well, well, only yesterday children, and now such a handsome _couple_!" CHAPTER V. ON THE ROCK. After supper, Ernest and I went to the rock on the summit of the hill, where we had met the year before. The scene was the same,--the river, the bay, the dark Palisades, and the vast sky illumined by the rising moon,--but somehow we seemed changed. We sat apart from each other on the rock, and sat for a long time in silence. Ernest, with downcast eyes, picked in an absent way at some flowers which grew in the crevices of the rock. And I,--well I believe I tied the strings of my sun-bonnet into all sorts of knots. I felt half disposed to laugh and half disposed to cry. At last I broke the silence:-- "You have fulfilled your words, Ernest," I said, "You have graduated with all the honors--as last year you said you would,--and now a bright career stretches before you. You will go forth into the great world, you will battle, you will win!" "Frank," said he, stretching forth his hand,--"Do you see yonder river as it flows broad and rapid, in the light of the rising moon? You speak of a bright career before me--now I almost wish that I was quietly asleep beneath those waves." The sadness of his tone and look went to my heart. "You surprise me, Frank. Now,"--and I attempted a laugh--"You have not fallen in love, since last year, have you?" He looked up and surveyed me from head to foot. I was dressed in white--my hair fell in loose curls to my shoulders. In a year I had passed from the girl into the woman. I was taller, my form more roundly developed. And as he gazed upon me, I was conscious that he was remarking the change which had taken place in my appearance, and that his look was one of ardent admiration. "Do _you_ think that I have fallen in love _since_ last year?" he said slowly and with a meaning look. I turned away from his gaze, and exclaimed-- "But you are moody, Ernest. Last year you were so hopeful--now so melancholy. You _can_, you will succeed in life."