ght be several answers given to that,' I said; 'but the best
one at present seems to be, why should you _not?_'

"'For several reasons,' he said. 'In the first place I do not know at
all whether Miss Powle has that degree of love to Christ that she would
be willing to forsake all her earthly prospects--home and friends--for
hard work in his service. In the second place, even if she have that, I
have not the slightest reason to believe that she--that she cares
enough for me to go with me at my asking.'

"'And do you mean to go in ignorance?' I said.

"'Yes--I must.'

"I waited a little, and then I told him I thought he was wrong.

"'Why?' he asked quickly.

"'People cannot see each other's hearts,' I said. 'Suppose that she
have the same secret feeling towards you that you have towards her. She
cannot speak; you will not; and so both would be unhappy for nothing.

"'I never saw the least thing like it,' he said.

"'I suppose she might say the same of you--might she not?'

"'Yes and with truth; for knowing the uncertainties--or rather the
certainties--of my position, I have not given her the least cause.'

"'You could hardly expect demonstrations from her in that case,' I said.

"'There is no chance, Mrs. Caxton, even if it were according to your
supposition. Her friends would never permit her to marry a man with my
lot in life;--and I do not know that I ought to ask her, even if they
would. She has a very fair prospect for this world's happiness.'

"'What do you think of your own lot in life?' I asked him.

"'I would not exchange it, you know,' he said, 'for any other the world
could offer me. It is brighter and better.'

"'It strikes me you are selfish,--' I told him.

"He laughed a little, for the first time; but he grew as grave as
possible immediately after.

"'I have not meant to be selfish,' he said; 'But I could not take a
woman to Fiji, who had not thoroughly considered the matter and counted
the cost. That could not be done in a little while. The world has a
fair chance now to see if it can weaken Miss Powle's principles or
overcome her faithfulness to them. It is better that she should try
herself perhaps, before having such a question asked of her.'

"'And suppose she comes clear out of the trial?' I said.

"'Then I shall be in Fiji.'

"We were both silent a while. He began then.

"'Mrs. Caxton, without invading any confidences or seeking to know
anything that should not be known,--may I