o much sense for the
like of that."

"Have I?" said Graeme. "I ought to have at my age."

It was growing quite dark--too dark for Mrs Snow to see Graeme's
troubled face; but she knew that it was troubled by the sound of her
voice, by the weary posture into which she drooped, and by many another
token.

"My dear," said her friend, earnestly, "the wild carrying away of the
fancy, that it is growing the fashion to call love, is not to be desired
at any age. I am not denying that it comes in youth with great power
and sweetness, as it came to your father and mother, as I mind well, and
as you have heard yourself. But it doesna always bring happiness. The
Lord is kind, and cares for those who rush blindly to their fate; but to
many a one such wild captivity of heart is but the forerunner of bitter
pain, for which there is no help but just to `thole it,' as they say."

She paused a moment, but Graeme did not, by the movement of a finger,
indicate that she had anything to say in reply.

"Mutual respect, and the quiet esteem that one friend gives to another
who is worthy, is a far surer foundation for a lifetime of happiness to
those who have the fear of God before their eyes, and it is just
possible, my dear, that you may have been mistaken."

"It is just possible, and it is too late now, you see, Janet. But I'll
keep all you have been saying in mind, and it may stand me in stead for
another time, you ken."

She spoke lightly, but there was in her voice an echo of bitterness and
pain that her friend could not bear to hear; and when she raised herself
up to go away, as though there were nothing more to be said, Janet laid
her hand lightly but firmly on her shoulder, and said,--

"My dear, you are not to be vexed with what I have said. Do you think I
can have any wish but to see you useful and happy? You surely dinna
doubt me, dear?"

"I am not vexed, Janet," said she. "And who could I trust if I doubted
you?"

"And you are not to think that I am meaning any disrespect to your new
sister, if I say it is no wonder that I dinna find you quite content
here. And when I think of the home that your mother made so happy, I
canna but wish to see you in a home of your own."

"But happiness is not the only thing to be desired in this world,"
Graeme forced herself to say.

"No, love, nor the chief thing--that is true," said Mrs Snow.

"And even if it were," continued Graeme, "there is more than one way to
look for