until they are crushed,
trampled, bereft of bloom, of rounded symmetry, of beautiful color; but
the Lord of the Vineyard is entitled to His own. I was a very proud,
self-reliant girl, impatient of poverty, daringly ambitious; and what I
deemed a cruel fate, threw me into the vat, to be trodden under foot.
It may be, that when the ferment ends, and time mellows all, the purple
wine of my bruised and broken life may be accounted worthy the seal of
a sacramental sacrifice. I have ceased to question, to struggle, to
plan. Like a blind child, fearing to stumble into ruin, I stand, and
stretch out my hands to Him, who has led me safely through deep waters,
along frightful gorges. Each day brings its work, which I strive
worthily to accomplish; but my aim is to lay my heart, mind, soul, my
stubborn will, all in God's hands. You think peace the summum bonum?
Sometimes we obtain it by an ignominious surrender, when we should
possess it by conquest. 'Peace of mind is a beautiful and heavenly
thing; but even peace of mind may become an idol; and there is perhaps
no idol to which women bow down more passionately.' For this reason, I
am waiting for the drum beat of duty, and my march may begin at any
moment. I asked to see you alone, in order to beg that you will
increase my debt of obligations, by promising to reveal to no one the
place of my retreat. Accident has betrayed to you that which I am
anxious to keep secret; and I trust you will tell no one where you met
me."

"Why should you hide, as though you were a culprit? You have been so
completely exonerated from the imputation of guilt which once hung over
you, that you owe it to yourself to front the gaze of the world
fearlessly. What have you to dread?"

"The failure of something, which, though its accomplishment costs me
very dear, I shall not relax my efforts to promote. I am trying to be
loyal to my duty, even when the command is to strangle my own weak
heart. You do not, cannot understand. God grant you never will. There
are reasons why it is best for me to live in strict seclusion, for the
present. Those reasons I can explain neither to you, nor to any other
human being; and yet, I ask you to respect them, and to keep my secret.
You trusted me in the terrible exigencies of the past; and you must
trust me now, for--oh! God knows--I do indeed deserve your confidence."

She raised the hand folded in her own, and bowed her head upon it.

"You have my promise. Without you