promise, that nothing would ever lead
you to lave me in sorrow an' disappointment. Still, I say, that--But,
Denis, is it thrue that you could lave me for anything?"

The innocent confidence in his truth expressed by the simplicity of her
last question, staggered the young candidate; that is to say, her words,
her innocence, and her affection sank deeply into his heart.

"Susan," he replied, "to tell the blessed truth, I am fairly dilemma'd.
My heart is in your favor; but--but--hem--you don't know the prospect
that is open to me. You don't know the sin of keeping back such
a--a--a--galaxy as I am from the church. I say you don't know the sin of
it. That's the difficulty. If it was a common case it would be nothing!
but to keep back a person like me--a _rara avis in terris_--from the
priesthood, is a sin that requires a great dale of interest with the
Pope to have absolved."

"Heaven above forgive me!" exclaimed the artless girl. "In that case I
wouldn't for the riches of the wide earth stand between you and. God.
But I didn't know that before, Denis; and if you had tould me, I think,
sooner than get into sich a sin I'd struggle to keep down my love for
you, even although my heart should break."

"Poor darling," said Denis, taking her passive hand in his, "and would
it go so hard with you? Break your heart! Do you love me so well as
that, Susan?"

Susan's eyes turned on him for a moment, and the tears which his
question drew forth gave it a full and a touching reply. She uttered
not a word, but after a few deep sobs wiped her eyes, and endeavored to
compose her feelings.

Denis felt the influence of her emotions; he remained silent for a short
time, during which, however, ambition drew in the background all those
dimly splendid visions that associate themselves with the sacerdotal
functions, in a country where the people place no bounds to the
spiritual power of their pastors.

"Susan," said he, after a pause, "do you know the difference between a
Christian and a hathen?"

"Between a Christian an' a hathen? Why aren't hathens all sinners?"

"Very right. Faith, Susan, you would have shone at the classics. You see
_dilecta cordis mei,_ or, _cordi meo,_ for either is good grammar--you
see, Susan, the difference between a Christian and a hathen is this:--
a Christian bears disappointments, with fortitude--with what is
denominated Christian fortitude; whereas, on the contrary, a hathen
doesn't bear disappointments