r my satisfaction. It is
different with you, who really are good for something, and who have done
so much, for Arthur and Fanny, and us all. And, besides, as you say,
you are content; but as for me--oh! I know there is no use talking. I
could never make you understand--There, I don't want to be naughty, and
vex you--and we will say no more to-night. Shall I get a light?"

She stooped over her sister, and kissed her, and Graeme, putting her
arms round her, said softly,--

"Only one word more, Rosie. I think I can understand you better than
you believe, as Janet understood me that night, though I did not see it
then, and you must just let me say one thing. My darling, I believe all
that is troubling you, now, will pass away; but, if I am wrong, and if
it be best that you have your own way about this work of yours--I mean,
if it is right--circumstances will arrange themselves to that end, and
it will all come easy for you, and me, too. We shall keep together, at
any rate, and I am not afraid. And, love, a year or two does make a
difference in people's feelings about things, though there is no good in
my saying it to you, now, I know. But we will wait till Will comes
home. We must be here to welcome him, even if his coming should be
delayed longer than we hope now. I don't like to think of any plan for
you and me, out of which Will must be left. And so many things may
happen before a year is over. I remember how restless and troubled I
was at that time. I don't like to think of it even now--and it is all
past--quite past. And we will stay together, whatever happens, if we
can, and, darling, you must have patience."

All this was said with many a caressing pause between, and then Rose
said,--

"Well--yes--I suppose we must wait for Will."

But she did not say it cheerfully, and Graeme went on, after a little:

"And, dear, I have noticed more than once in my life that when a quiet
time like this has come, it has come as a time of preparation for work
of some sort; for the doing, or the bearing of God's will in some
peculiar way; and we must not lose the good of these quiet days by being
anxious about the future, or regretful over the past. It will all come
right, love, you may be sure of that."

The last words were spoken hastily, for Harry's voice was heard, and
Rose went softly out at one door, as he came in at the other; and when,
in a little, he called from the foot of the stairs, as he always did,