unable to
marry as his heart would dictate. But he is not for that to remain
single all his life, is he?" said Mrs. Carnegie.

"Perhaps not; I should respect him more if he did. I will remain single
all my life unless I find somebody to love me first and best," said
Bessie with the airy assurance of the romantic age.

"Well, dear, and I trust you may, for affection is the great sweetener
of life, and it must be hard getting along without it. But here is
father."

Mr. Carnegie, his nap over, had seen his wife and Bessie from the
study-window. He drew Bessie's hand through his arm and asked what they
were so earnest in debate upon. Not receiving an immediate answer, he
went on to remark to his wife that their little Bessie was not spoilt by
her life among her high-born friends. "For anything I can see, she is
our dear Bessie still."

"So she is, Thomas--self-will and her own opinion and all," replied her
mother, looking fondly in her face.

Bessie laughed and blushed. "You never expected perfection in me, nor
too much docility," she said.

The doctor patted her hand, and told her she was good enough for human
nature's daily companionship. Then he began to give her news of their
neighbors. "It falls out fortunately that it is holiday-time. Young
Christie is here: you know him? He told us how he had met you at some
grand house in the winter, where he went to paint a picture: the lady
had too little expression to please him, and he was not satisfied with
his work. She was, fortunately, and her husband too, for he had a
hundred pounds for the picture--like coining money his father says. He
is very good to the old people, and makes them share his prosperity--a
most excellent son." Bessie listened for another name of an excellent
son. It came. "And Harry Musgrave is at Brook for a whiff of country
air. That young man works and plays very hard: he must take heed not to
overdo it."

"Then I shall see all my friends while I am in the Forest," said Bessie,
very glad.

"Yes, and as pleased they will be to see you. Mother, Bessie might walk
to Brook with me before tea. They will be uncommonly gratified, and she
will get over to us many another day," Mr. Carnegie proposed.

"Yes, Thomas, if it will not overtire her."

"Oh, nothing overtires me," said Bessie. "Let us go by Great-Ash Ford."

Before they started the doctor had a word or two with his wife alone. He
wanted to hear what she had made out from dear Bessie herse