ious hand. And would Clarence have
strength of mind or spirit to hold out? This was a very serious
question, and one which included all the rest. If she accepted his
proposal, would he have the heart to stand to it against his father? or
would her consent simply involve her in a humiliating struggle which
would end in defeat? That was the great question. If this should be the
case, what use would there be in any sacrifice that Phoebe might make? A
struggle with Mr. Copperhead would affect her father's position as much
or more than her own, and she knew that a great many of the congregation
would infallibly side with Mr. Copperhead, feeling it a most dangerous
precedent that a pastor's daughter should be encouraged to think herself
eligible for promotion so great, and thus interfere with the more
suitable matrimonial prospects of wealthy young men who might happen to
attend her father's chapel. Such a thing the conscript fathers of the
connection would feel ought to be put a stop to with a high hand. So it
may be supposed that Phoebe had enough to think of, as she strolled
about in the moonlight alone, between the two borders of primroses.
Tozer thought she had gone upstairs to take off her "things," and it was
natural that when a girl got before a looking-glass she should forget
the progress of time; so that he merely wondered at her non-appearance
until the little chill of air stole in from the open door, and made Mrs.
Tozer cough.

"If it ain't our Phoebe a-walking about in the moonlight like a
play-actor!" said Tozer, in consternation, drawing aside the curtain to
look out. "I'll tell you what, old woman, the girl's in love; and that's
what it is." He thought this was a capital joke, and followed his
witticism with a laugh.

"Not much wonder, neither, with all them young fellows about," said the
old lady. "You may laugh; but, Tozer, I ain't so easy in my mind as you.
If it's him as they call Northcote, that don't matter; but if it's that
big gabby of a Copperhead, there's troubles a-coming; though he's as
rich, they do say, as Creases, whoever Creases might be, and it would be
a credit to have the girl make a match like that out of our house."

Whereat Tozer again laughed loud and long.

"Well," he said, "if Mister Creases himself was here, I wouldn't say as
he was a bit too good for our Phoebe. Don't you trouble your head, old
woman; Copperhead or t'other one, let her make her choice. Phoebe
junior's the girl as