ing
will be the possession of your beautiful bride."

"Mr. Phillips," said Willie, speaking with decision and energy, which
proved how heart-felt were the words he uttered, "I have not spent many
of the best years of my life toiling beneath a burning sun, and in exile
from all that I held most dear, without being sustained by high hopes,
aims, and aspirations. But you misjudge me greatly if you believe that
the ambition that has spurred me on can find its gratification in those
rewards which you have so vividly presented to my imagination. No, sir!
believe me, I aspire to something higher yet, and should think my best
efforts wasted if my hopes tended not to a still more glorious good."

"And to what quarter do you look for the fulfilment of such prospects?"
asked Mr. Amory.

"Not to the gay circles of fashion," replied Willie, "nor yet to that
moneyed aristocracy which awards to each man his position in life. I do
not depreciate an honourable standing in the eyes of my fellow-men; I am
not blind to the advantages of wealth, or to the claims of grace and
beauty; but these were not the things for which I left my home, and it
is not to claim them that I have returned. Young as I am, I have seen
enough of trial to believe that the only blessings worth striving for
are something more enduring, more satisfying, than precarious wealth or
fleeting smiles."

"To what, then, I ask, do you look forward?"

"To a _home_, and that not so much for myself as for another, with whom
I hope to share it. A year since"--and Willie's lip trembled, his voice
faltered--"there were others, besides that dear one whose image now
fills my heart, whom I had fondly hoped, and should have rejoiced, to
see reaping the fruits of my exertions. But we were not permitted to
meet again; and now--but pardon me, sir; I would not trouble you with my
private affairs."

"Go on," said Mr. Amory; "I deserve some confidence in return for the
disinterested advice I have been giving you. Speak to me as to an old
friend; I am much interested in what you say."

"It is long since I have spoken freely of myself," said Willie, "but
frankness is natural to me, and, since you profess a desire to learn
something of my aim in life, I know of no motive I have for reserve or
concealment. But my position, sir, even as a child, was singular; and
excuse me if I briefly refer to it. I could not have been more than
twelve or fourteen years of age when I began to realise th