while after that.

"There is nothing fixed in this world," he said at length.

"Yes there is," said Elizabeth bitterly. "There are friends --
and there is a self-reliant spirit -- and there is a settled
mind."

"Settled -- about what?"

"What it will and what it ought to do."

"Is yours not settled on the latter point?" he asked.

"If it were," said Elizabeth with a little hesitation and
struggling, -- "that don't make it settled."

"It shews where the settling point is."

"Which leaves it as far as ever from being settled," said
Elizabeth, almost impatiently.

"A self-reliant spirit, if it be not poised on another
foundation than its own, hath no fixedness that is worth
anything, Miss Elizabeth; -- and friends are not safe things to
trust to."

"Some of them are," said Elizabeth.

"No, for they are not sure. There is but one friend that
cannot be taken away from us."

"But to know that, and to know everything else about him, does
not make him our friend," said Elizabeth in a voice that
trembled.

"To agree to everything about him, does."

"To agree? -- How? -- I do agree to it," said Elizabeth.

"Do you? Are you willing to have him for a King to reign over
you? -- as well as a Saviour to make you and keep you safe?"

She did not answer.

"You do not know everything about him, neither."

"What don't I know?"

"Almost all. You cannot, till you begin to obey him; for till
then he will not shew himself to you. The epitome of all
beauty is in those two words -- Jesus Christ."

She made no answer yet, with her head bowed, and striving to
check the straining sobs with which her breast was heaving.
She had a feeling that he was looking on compassionately; but
it was a good while before she could restrain herself into
calmness; and during that time he added nothing more. When she
could look up, she found he was not looking at her; his eyes
were turned upon the river, where the moon made a broad and
broadening streak of wavy brightness. But Elizabeth looked at
the quiet of his brow, and it smote her; though there was now
somewhat of thoughtful care upon the face. The tears that she
thought she had driven back, rushed fresh to her eyes again.

"Do you believe what I last said, Miss Elizabeth?" he said
turning round to her.

"About the epitome of all beauty?"

"Yes. Do you believe it?"

"You say so -- I don't understand it," she said sadly and
somewhat perplexed.

"I told you so," he answered