me. At any rate, she did steer it into a good harbor."

"I am glad! I am very glad, Antony! But why do you say 'fortune'?"

"Somehow--I did not like to say God--as if He looked after a man's
real estate speculations."

"He looks after everything. The silver and the gold are His; the world
and the fulness thereof. I have never read, nor yet ever heard tell,
that He has grown weary of watching; or that His arm is shortened or
weakened, or that He has delegated to fortune, or chance, or fate, or
destiny, or any other power, His own work of shaping a man's life. If
I did not know this, I should feel as all disbelievers must
feel--alone and abandoned in the vast universe."

"In great things, father."

"In everything. Can you tell what things are great, and what things
are little? From the most apparently trifling affairs have come wars
and revolutions, which have turned the earth upside down, and 'glutted
the throat of Hell with ghosts.' God gave you every dollar you have;
and to Him you will have to render an account of its usage. Now, as to
Miss Filmer. If you have money, I see no reason to fear you will not
be acceptable. You are both branches from the same root--though she
may be a bit the highest up; and I do think you are as good a man, and
as handsome a man, as I know anywhere."

Praise so distinct and unqualified was a rare gift from Peter; and
Antony looked into his father's face with grateful pleasure. The old
man nodded slightly, as if to reaffirm his opinions, and then
continued, "Talk to Mr. Filmer at once. It is the best plan."

"It is too early yet. I must have permission from Rose to go on that
message. There is nothing definite between us."

"It is a pity. She goes to the city--into the world--other young men
will seek her."

"Good! She must choose freely. I may only have been a country
makeshift, and I do not care to be Hobson's choice with any girl. I
would rather be left altogether."

"Right. Suppose you ride to Grey's Gate with me? There is a horse for
sale there that I would like to buy."

So the two men went away together, and Yanna, sitting sewing at the
window, lifted her head as they passed, and gave them a smile like
sunshine. "She is a good, brave girl," thought Peter, and for a moment
he was tempted to tell Antony about Harry Filmer's proposal. But he
thought better of silence than of confidence, and he kept silence. In
the end, Harry was sure to do all that was right to the woman he