boundless wealth of her affection! To a loving mind there is no prouder,
happier feeling than to be the only source of support to the wife of his
love--to know that she looks to him for the fulfilment of her slightest
wish in life. I thank my Maker that you are poor, Marie, and that I am
permitted to toil for you. How else could I reward you for all you have
sacrificed for me?"

"You cannot suppose, dear Philip, that the riches of my obtrusive lover
would have been any attraction to me. Money could never compensate for
the loss of your love. You are my life, and from you alone can I receive
happiness or unhappiness. At your side I am rich and joyous, though we
may outwardly need; without you I should be poor with superfluity. I
am proud that we in spirit have freed ourselves from those fictitious
externals with which the foolish burden themselves. Oh, my beloved
Philip, my whole soul is exultant that we are never more to part--no,
not even in eternity, for I believe that love is an undying sentiment,
and the soul can never be darkened by death which is beaming with
affection."

"You are right, Marie, love is the immortality of the soul; through it
man is regenerated and soars to the regions of eternal light. When I
recall how desolate and gloomy was my life, how joyless the days dragged
on before I loved you, I almost menaced Heaven that it created me to
wander alone through this desert. The brightest sun's rays now gild
my future, and it seems as if we were alone in paradise, and that the
creation entire glorified my happiness, and all the voices of Nature
shouted a greeting to you, dearest. Oh, Marie, if I lived a thousand
years, my heart would retain its youthful love and adoration for you,
who have saved me from myself, have freed my soul from the constraining
fetters of a sad, joyless existence. Repose your head upon my heart, and
may it rest there many happy years, and receive in this hour my oath to
love, esteem, and honor you as my most precious treasure! You shall be
wife, child, sister, and friend. My soul shall be frank and open to
you; for you I will strive and toil, and will cherish and foster the
happiness received from you as my most treasured gift. Give me your
hand, Marie."

She laid it within his own strong, manly hand, gently pressing it.

The large full moon, high above them, lighted up these noble faces,
making the eyes, which were bent upon each other, more radiant. Swiftly
the carriage rolled