onfess that "Saint Bridget" was sweeter, simpler, less
wayward, more unselfish; yet in spite of all there remained the
extraordinary fact that he liked Bridgie and loved Esmeralda with the
whole strength of a warm and loving heart! He saw her faults clearly
enough with those keen, quizzical eyes; but what the sight roused in him
was not so much disapproval as pity, and an immense longing to help and
comfort. He loved her; he understood her; he honestly believed he could
help her to rise above the weaknesses of girlhood, and become the fine
large-hearted woman which Providence had intended her to be; and the
time had come when he intended to speak his mind and ask her to be his
wife. The silence had lasted so long that at last Joan herself became
conscious of it, and roused herself to apologise for her rudeness.

"But I'm miserable," she said simply. "I can't remember to be polite.
I was miserable last time when the Pixie left us, but now it is a
hundred times worse. I can't bear to think of going back to that big
empty place, with that dreadful shadow coming nearer and nearer every
day. I am a coward, and can't face it!"

"You are a very brave girl--one of the bravest I have known. If anyone
but yourself dared to call you cowardly, you would never forgive him!"

"I know. It's quite true. I am brave physically, but I've never been
tried in this way before, so I didn't know how weak I was. It arises
from selfishness, I suppose. It's so hard to suffer like this."

"No one can be selfish who loves another person more than himself. I
have never seen two sisters so devoted to each other as you and Miss
Bridgie. You will think of her before yourself, and try to help her,
simply because you will not be able to help it!"

"Darling Bridgie--yes, I do love her. Who could help it? She takes
this trouble like the saint she is, and believes that it is God's will,
and must be for the best. I can't feel that--I can't! It's against
reason. It's no use pretending that I do, for I should only be a
hypocrite."

"You have a different nature from your sister's. It is more difficult
for you to be resigned, and therefore all the more praiseworthy if you
fight against your rebellious thoughts, and learn submission."

The tears rose slowly to Joan's eyes, and she looked at him with a
flickering smile.

"It's no use talking to you. You won't believe how wicked I am. You
make excuses for me all the time."

"Because I