ve other
images. But that time cannot come at once. Nor, I think, is it well
that we should wish it. Those who have courage to love should have
courage to suffer."

"Yes, yes, yes. But if the courage be wanting? if one have it not?
One cannot have such courage for the asking."

"The first weight of the blow will stun the sufferer. I know that,
Mr. Bertram. But that dull, dead, deathly feeling will wear off at
last. You have but to work; to read, to write, to study. In that
respect, you men are more fortunate than we are. You have that which
must occupy your thoughts."

"And you, Adela--?"

"Do not speak of me. If you are generous, you will not do so.
If I have in any way seemed to speak of myself, it is because
you have made it unavoidable. What God has given me to bear is
bearable;--though I would that he could have spared my poor father."
And, so saying, Adela at last gave way to tears. On that subject she
might be allowed to weep.

Bertram said nothing to disturb her till they were near the house,
and then he again held out his hand to her. "As a true friend; I hope
as a dear friend. Is it not so?" said he.

"Yes," she answered, in her lowest voice, "as a dear friend.
But remember that I expect a friend's generosity and a friend's
forbearance." And so she made her way back to her own room, and
appeared at breakfast in her usual sober guise, but with eyes that
told no tales.

On the next morning she took her departure. The nearest station on
the railway by which she was to go to Littlebath was distant about
twelve miles, and it was proposed that she should be sent thither in
Mrs. Wilkinson's phaeton. This, indeed, except the farm-yard cart,
was the only vehicle which belonged to the parsonage, and was a low
four-wheeled carriage, not very well contrived for the accommodation
of two moderate-sized people in front, and of two immoderately-small
people on the hind seat. Mrs. Wilkinson habitually drove it herself,
with one of her daughters beside her, and with two others--those
two whose legs had been found by measurement to be the shortest--in
durance vile behind; but when so packed, it was clear to all men that
the capacity of the phaeton was exhausted. Now the first arrangement
proposed was, that Arthur should drive the phaeton, and that Sophy
should accompany Adela to the station. But Sophy, in so arranging,
had forgotten that her friend had a bag, a trunk, and a bonnet-box,
the presence of which at Littleb