el any certainty of its being accepted. Neither did they doubt his
power to make her happy; for it was evident that their tastes and
dispositions were admirably suited, and their characters marked to a
great degree by the same peculiarities. But it was these very
peculiarities in which they so well agreed, and which each would
probably strengthen and confirm in the other, that gave rise to the
anxious thoughts that dwelt in Helen's mind, and which she communicated
to Rudolph.

Roger Williams was already a marked man, and an object of suspicion and
displeasure to the rising power of Boston. Already he had been
compelled to retire before the persecuting spirit of the Boston Church,
and to seek shelter in the rival and more charitable colony, where his
peculiar opinions were tolerated, even if they were not approved. But
the Maitlands knew that his position at New Plymouth did not satisfy
the yearnings of his earnest and aspiring soul, and that he felt a
strong desire to return to Salem, and minister among those who had been
his first friends, and his first congregation. His reason for so bag
delaying this measure was very evident; and Edith's parents justly
feared that, as soon as the object which now engrossed his whole mind
was attained, and he had won their daughter's heart and band, be would
take her from her present safe and peaceful home, to share with him the
trials and difficulties, and even dangers, which might await him on his
return to the state of Massachusetts, where they felt sure he would
again proclaim the opinions that had already given so much offence.

This was a reasonable cause for anxiety; but it was not a sufficient
ground on which to refuse a connection with such a man as Roger
Williams--a man who might, indeed, by his daring freedom of spirit and
uncompromising opinions, bring earthly trial on himself and any one
whose fate was united to his; but whose lofty piety and steadfast faith
must carry with them a spiritual blessing, and gild and cheer the path,
however dark and thorny, in which he and his partner should be called
to tread.

It was, therefore, with mingled feelings of pain and pleasure that
Helen heard from Edith that Roger had, at length, taken courage to
declare to her his own feelings, and to ask whether she could return
them. Her glowing cheek and glistening eye, as she revealed the
interesting fact, would have left her mother in no doubt as to the
answer she had returned, even i