lmly that he surprised me. 'What is the secret
of your philosophy?' I asked. He answered, 'I can bear anything while I
have my wife and my children.' Think of that, and judge for yourself how
much happiness you may have left yet ungathered in your married life."

(Those words touched Stella's higher nature, as the dew touches the
thirsty ground. Surely they were nobly spoken! How would her husband
receive them?)

"I must think with your mind, Penrose, before I can do what you ask of
me. Is there any method of transformation by which I can change natures
with you?" That was all he said--and he said it despondingly.

Penrose understood, and felt for him.

"If there is anything in my nature, worthy to be set as an example
to you," he replied, "you know to what blessed influence I owe
self-discipline and serenity of mind. Remember what I said when I left
you in London, to go back to my friendless life. I told you that I
found, in the Faith I held, the one sufficient consolation which helped
me to bear my lot. And--if there came a time of sorrow in the future--I
entreated you to remember what I had said. Have you remembered it?"

"Look at the book here on my desk--look at the other books, within easy
reach, on that table--are you satisfied?"

"More than satisfied. Tell me--do you feel nearer to an understanding of
the Faith to which I have tried to convert you?"

There was a pause. "Say that I do feel nearer," Romayne resumed--"say
that some of my objections are removed--are you really as eager as ever
to make a Catholic of me, now that I am a married man?"

"I am even more eager," Penrose answered. "I have always believed that
your one sure way to happiness lay through your conversion. Now, when
I know, from what I have seen and heard in this room, that you are not
reconciled, as you should be, to your new life, I am doubly confined in
my belief. As God is my witness, I speak sincerely. Hesitate no longer!
Be converted, and be happy."

"Have you not forgotten something, Penrose?"

"What have I forgotten?"

"A serious consideration, perhaps. I have a Protestant wife."

"I have borne that in mind, Romayne, throughout our conversation."

"And you still say--what you have just said?"

"With my whole heart, I say it! Be converted, and be happy. Be happy,
and you will be a good husband. I speak in your wife 's interest as well
as in yours. People who are happy in each other's society, will yield
a little on either