t
destroy."

"Yes. To see that church making Margaret happy as she lies smiling on
her couch, is a lesson of lessons."

"That what is hallowed must be blest," said Norman; "whatever the sundry
and manifold changes."

Each was far too humble to deny aloud any inequality with the goodness
of Alan and Margaret, knowing that it would be at once disputed,
trusting to time to prevent the over-estimate, and each believing the
other was the one to bring the blessing.

"But, Meta," said Norman, "have you heard nothing of--of the elders?"

"Oh, yes," said Meta, smiling, "have not you?"

"I have seen no one."

"I have!" said Meta merrily. "Uncle Cosham is delighted. That speech of
yours has captivated him. He calls me a wise little woman to have found
out your first-rate abilities. There's for you, sir."

"I don't understand it! Surely he must be aware of my intentions?"

"He said nothing about them; but, of course, Dr. May must have mentioned
them."

"I should have thought so, but I cannot suppose--"

"That he would be willing to let me go," said Meta. "But then you know
he cannot help it," added she, with a roguish look, at finding herself
making one of her saucy independent speeches.

"I believe you are taking a would-be missionary instead of Norman May!"
he answered, with a sort of teasing sweetness.

"All would-be missionaries did not make dear papa so fond of them," said
Meta, very low; "and you would not be Norman May without such purposes."

"The purpose was not inspired at first by the highest motive," said
Norman; "but it brought me peace, and, after the kind of dedication
that I inwardly made of myself in my time of trouble, it would take some
weighty reason, amounting to a clear duty, or physical impossibility,
to make me think I ought to turn back. I believe"--the tears rose to
his eyes, and he brought out the words with difficulty--"that, if this
greatest of all joys were likely to hinder me from my calling, I ought
to seek strength to regard it as a temptation, and to forgo it."

"You ought, if it were so," said Meta, nevertheless holding him tighter.
"I could not bear to keep back a soldier. If this were last year, and
I had any tie or duty here, it would be very hard. But no one needs me,
and if the health I have always had be continued to me, I don't think I
shall be much in the way. There,"--drawing back a little, and trying to
laugh off her feeling--"only tell me at once if you think me still