doth blunt the edge of her
melancholy."

"Alas, no! she still continues to grieve with an unreasonable grief.
Time brings no balm."

"It should not be so. The sooner we become reconciled to the
afflictive dispensations of Providence (under which I understand she
suffers,) the better for both soul's and body's health."

"There are some natures, whereupon, when an impression is once made,
it is not readily effaced, and the lady Geraldine's is such. Yet do I
not despair of her restoration to tranquillity."

"I must request godly Mr. Eliot to visit her. There is no soother so
effectual as the soft voice of the Gospel. But for yourself, Sir
Christopher, tire you not of the monotony of your forest life?"

"So far therefrom, I love it hourly more. My early days were wild and
stormy, of some particulars whereof I have possessed you; and although
I have not reached my meridian, yet am I satiated with vanity. I am
like a ship, whose tempest-beaten sides rest sweetly in a haven. As
contentedly she hears the winds howling without, so I listen from afar
to the uproar of the world, and pleased, contrast my calm therewith."

"Man was not made for inaction," said Winthrop.

"I shun no honorable labor. Instruct me how to be useful to the little
State which enjoys the happiness to call you father and ruler, and no
toil or danger but shall be welcome."

"You know there is but one difficulty that stands in your way to
occupy the position due to both your rank and merit."

A shadow passed over the face of the knight.

"We will not speak thereof," he said. "When I offered to join the
congregation, who would have thought that so trifling a difference
could close your bosoms against me?"

"Call not the difference slight, nor our bosoms closed," answered
Winthrop; "but I trust that further reflection, your spirit being
lighted by beams of grace, will convince you that in our exposition we
erred not."

At this moment a slight rustling was heard at the other end of the
apartment, and the knight turning, beheld a man having the appearance
of a servant advancing.

"How now, sirrah," cried Winthrop, "what means this intrusion?"

"I thought I heard the Governor call," said the man.

"I called not," said Winthrop; "but being here, bring refreshments.
His presence opportunely reminds me," he added, turning to the knight,
"of my breach of hospitality, occasioned by my interest in the
conversation."

In a short time the servant retur