all have to find some one else to go."

"There, that's a good, dear uncle, as you always are. Oh, I am so glad
Charles will not be sent away from us!"

With secret delight--for he felt sure she loved his nephew as he
wished--Mr. Scofield next sought Charles, to see if an interview with him
would result as satisfactorily to his wishes as with Ida. He was
disappointed; Charles evidently loved Ida, but it was only with a brotherly
affection. He waited a few weeks longer, and then spoke plainly to his
nephew on the subject that lay nearest his heart. He told the young man how
much he desired to see him and Ida united, and hoped if he did not already
love her, that he would try to do so. As Charles had formed no attachment
at that time, he readily consented to converse with Ida--ascertain whether
her affections were engaged to him, and if so, to reciprocate them, if
possible. He did so; but he found that Ida's attachment was like his own,
and then he plainly told her of his uncle's wishes.

"I had never thought of that," she said; "but if it is his desire and yours
also, that we should be united, I think I could live happily with you."

This was said in a matter-of-fact way, that, more clearly than anything
else, showed her want of that peculiar kind of love which sanctifies
marriage. Charles saw this, and replied:

"I have no doubt, Ida, but you would make one of the best of wives; but I
should fear to wed you, when neither of us loved more ardently than we do."

"Why would you _fear_?"

"That either or both of us might afterward see some one that we could love
as those are expected to, who enter into the solemn obligations of the
marriage covenant. The heart is not master of its own emotions; they come
and go, regardless of our calls and commands, and we may not count upon
being able to control them. How wretched it would cause either of us to be
united to each other, while a third party was loved, I leave you to
determine for yourself. I have been so accustomed to regard you as a
sister, it seems strange to think of you in any other light; and I hope
this little passage between us will not mar the freedom of our
intercourse."

"I am sure I do not intend that it shall; and I think in consenting to
become a nearer companion to you than even a sister, I have given ample
assurance of my esteem and regard."

"We will then continue to be friends, and I will go at once and communicate
our decision to my uncle."

When