not be at the wedding, wished to say a word 'on the eve of the great
change which my dear young friend--little Gertie, we used to call
her--is about to make.' And so he talked to them both. It was an
affectionate little homily, and went on something in this sort--

'But I need not say how honourable an estate it is, only, my lord, you
will always remember your wooing is not over with your wedding. As you
did first choose your love, you must hereafter love your choice. In
Solomon's Song, the Redeemer the bridegroom, and the Church His spouse,
one calls the other "love," to show that though both did not honour
alike, yet both should love alike.

'And always be kind, and the kinder the more her weakness needs it.
Elkanah says to his wife, "Am not I better unto thee than ten sons?" As
though he favoured her more for that which she thought herself despised.
So a good husband will not love his wife less, but comfort her more for
her infirmities, as this man did, that she may bear with his infirmities
too. And if she be jealous--ay, they will be jealous--'

He spoke in a reverie, with a sad fond look, not a smile, but something
like a smile, and a little pensive shake of the head; he was thinking,
perhaps, of very old times. And 'my lord' glanced with a sly smile at
Gertrude, who was looking on the carpet with, I think, a blush, and I'm
sure saw my lord's glance seeking hers, but made as though she did not.

'If she be jealous, her jealousy, you know, is still the measure of her
love. Bless God that he hath made thee to her so dear a treasure that
she cannot hide her fears and trouble lest she should lose even a
portion of thy love; and let thy heart thank _her_ too.

'And if the husband would reprove her, it must be in such a mood as if
he did chide with himself, and his words like Jonathan's arrows, which
were not shot to hurt but to give warning. She must have no words but
loving words from thee. She is come to thee as to a sanctuary to defend
her from hurt, and canst thou hurt her thyself? Does the king trample
his crown? Solomon calls the wife the crown of her husband; therefore,
he who despiseth her woundeth his own honour. I am resolved to honour
virtue in what sex soever I find it.'

The doctor was speaking this like a soliloquy, slowly, and looking on
the floor.

'And I think in general I shall find it more in women than in men.'

Here the young people exchanged another smile, and the doctor looked up
and we