ery day by hours--every hour by minutes!

"I should have come before," he continued, "but I have had so many
things to occupy me. Besides, I am such poor company. I should only
trouble you."

"You never trouble me."

"It is kind of you to say so. Well, let that pass. Will you now return
with me and spend the day? My mother is longing to see you."

"I will come," said Olive, cheerfully. There was a little demur about
Christars being left alone, but it was soon terminated by the incursion
of a tribe of the young lady's "friends," whom she had made at Farnwood
Hall.

Soon Olive was walking with Mr. Gwynne along the well-known road. The
sunshine of the morning seemed to gather and float around her. She
remembered no more the pain--the doubt--the weary waiting. She was
satisfied now!

Gradually they fell into their old way of conversing. "How beautiful all
seems," said Harold, as he stood still, bared his head, and drank in,
with a long sighing breath, the sunshine and the soft air. "Would that I
could be happy in this happy world!"

"It is God's world, and as He made it--good; but I often doubt whether
He meant it to be altogether happy."

"Why so?"

"Because life is our time of education--our school-days. Our holidays, I
fancy, are to come. We should be thankful," she added, smiling, "when we
get our brief play-hours--our pleasant Saturday afternoons--as now. Do
you not think so?"

"I cannot tell; I am in a great labyrinth, from which I must work my
way out alone. Nevertheless, my friend, keep near me." Unconsciously she
pressed his arm. He started, and turned his head away. The next moment
he added, in a somewhat constrained voice, "I mean--let me have your
friendship--your silent comforting--your prayers-Yes! thus far I
believe. I can say, 'Pray God for me,' doubting not that He will
hear--you, at least, if not me. Therefore, let me go on and struggle
through this darkness."

"Until comes the light! It will come--I know it will!" Olive looked up
at him, and their eyes met. In hers was the fulness of joy, in his a
doubt--a contest. He removed them, and walked on in silence. The very
arm on which Olive leaned seemed to grow rigid--like a bar of severance
between them.

"I would to Heaven!" Harold suddenly exclaimed as they approached
Harbury--"I would to Heaven I could get away from this place altogether.
I think I shall do so. My knowledge and reputation in science is not
small. I might begin a new life--