now things--all things
that ever there be to know. I would like that, I think, above all."

"To know God and all good things were a very good and wise wish,
Lettice," was Aunt Joyce's answer; "but to know evil things, this was
the very blunder that our mother Eve made in Eden. Prithee, repeat it
not. Now, Aubrey, what is thy wish?"

"I would like to be a rich king," said he. "Were I a fairy queen,
Aubrey, I would not give thee thy wish: for thou couldst scarce make a
worser. `They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare,' and
they that seek power be little behind them. `Godliness is great
riches,' lad, `if a man be content with that he hath.'"

"Methinks, Aunt, that is one of your favourite texts," remarked Edith.

"Ay," said she, "it is. `Enough is as good as a feast.' Hans, 'tis thy
turn."

Hans had sat gravely looking into the fire while the others talked. Now
he looked up, and answered--

"Madam, I am ambitious more than a little. I desire to do God's will,
and to be content therewith."

"Angels could win no further," answered Aunt Joyce, with much feeling in
her voice. "Ay, lad; thou hast flown at highest game of all."

"Why, Aunt!" said Aubrey, "never heard I a meaner wish. Any man could
do that."

"Prithee do it, then," replied Aunt Joyce, "and I for one shall be full
fain to see thee."

"No man ever yet fulfilled that wish," added Edith, "save only Christ
our Lord."

Lady Louvaine sighed somewhat heavily; and Joyce asked, "What is it,
dear heart?"

"Ah!" said she, "thy question, Joyce, and the children's answers, send
me back a weary way, nigh sixty years gone, to the time when I dwelt
bowerwoman with my Lady of Surrey, when one even the Lady of Richmond
willed us all to tell our desires after this manner. I mind not well
all the answers, but I know one would see a coronation, and an other
fair sights in strange lands: and I, being then young and very foolish,
wished for a set of diamond, and my Lady of Richmond herself to be a
queen. But my Aubrey's wish was something like Hans's, for he said he
desired to be an angel. Ah me! nigh sixty years!"

"He hath his wish," responded Aunt Joyce softly. "And methinks Hans is
like to have his also, so far as mortal man may compass it. There be
some wishes, children, that fulfil themselves: and aspirations after God
be of that sort. `He meeteth them that remember Him.' Lettice, I trust
thou mayest have thy wish to a reasonable