saying, to himself:

"Very strange! Mr. Armstrong act as if pocket-book chock full
o' bank-bills grow like chick-weed, but I will take him under my
protecshum till I give him to Miss Faith."

Upon Armstrong's return from the end of the walk, Felix delivered
himself of his errand, and his master directed his steps towards the
house.

He found his daughter with the breakfast apparatus before her, and
looking as fresh and charming as the morning itself.

"You have shown better taste than I, father," she said. "You have been
enjoying the beauty of nature, while I was lying on a downy pillow."

"Sleep is sweet to the young and healthy," said Armstrong, "and my
selfishness kept you up so late last night, that I do not wonder you
are not as early as usual."

"My late hours have done me no harm. But when shall we take the drive
you promised me?"

"At any time that is most agreeable to yourself."

"If you refer it to me, I shall not long hesitate."

"It will make no difference with me. Choose, yourself, my darling."

"Then, why not this morning, while the air is fresh with the dews of
night, and before the roads are filled with dust? I anticipate a great
deal of pleasure, for it seems to me some mystery hangs about this
drive, and that you are preparing for me a delightful surprise."

Armstrong started, and an expression of pain gathered over his face.

"That was earlier than I intended," he said, "but a few hours can make
no difference."

"If it is not perfectly convenient; if you have another engagement,
put it off later. It was only the loveliness of the morning which made
me select it."

"I have no other engagement so important," said Armstrong; "it is of
great importance to us both: I ought to gratify any request you can
make, but"--

"Why hesitate, dear father, to make your own choice without regard to
a chance expression of mine? I really have no preference contrary to
yours."

"There is no such thing as chance. We will go this morning, my
darling," said Armstrong, with decision. "I have observed, there are
some persons controlled by a heavenly influence, which prevents their
erring. I have felt it sometimes, and, I think I feel it now. You were
always right from infancy. The influence upon us both is the same,
and, I am convinced, we should follow it."

Accordingly, shortly after breakfast, Faith and her father entered the
coach, which was driven by Felix. The route they passed over was the
same t