brown hair, Betty had seen as good repeatedly. What she had not
seen was what attracted her. The brow, broad and intellectual, had a
most beautiful repose upon it; and from under it looked forth upon
Betty two glorious grey eyes, pure, grave, thoughtful, penetrating,
sweet. Yet more than all the rest, perhaps, which struck Miss Frere,
was an expression, in mouth and eyes both, which is seen on no faces
but of those who have gone through discipline and have learned the
habit of self-renunciation, endurance, and loving ministry.

The two girls sat down together at Betty's instance.

'Will you forgive me?' she said. 'I am a stranger, but I do want to ask
you a question or two. May I? and will you hear me patiently? I see you
will.'

The other made a courteous, half smiling sign of assent, _not_ as if
she were surprised. Betty noticed that.

'It is very bold, for a stranger,' she went on, making her observations
while she spoke; 'but the thing is earnest with me, and I must seize my
chance, if it _is_ a chance. It has happened,'--she lowered her voice
somewhat and her words came slower,--'it has happened that I have been
studying the subject of religion a good deal lately; it interests me;
and I want to ask you, why did you sing that hymn?'

'That particular hymn?'

'No, no; I mean, why did you sing a hymn at all? It is not the usual
thing, you know.'

'May I ask you a counter question? What should be the motive with which
one sings, or does anything of the sort?'

'Motive? why, to please people, I suppose.'

'And you think my choice was not happy?'

'What does she ask me that for?' thought Betty; 'she knows, just as
well as I do, what people thought of it. What is she up to?' But aloud
she answered,--

'I think it was very happy, as regarded the choice of the hymn; it was
peculiar, but very effective. My question meant, why did you sing a
hymn at all?'

'I will tell you,' said the other. 'I do not know if you will
understand me. I sang that, because I have given myself to Christ, and
my voice must be used only as His servant.'

Quick as thought it flashed upon Betty, the words she had heard Pitt
Dallas quote so lately, quote and descant upon, about giving his body
'a living sacrifice.' 'How you two think alike!' was her instant
reflection; 'and how you would fit if you could come together!--which
you never shall, if I can prevent it.' But her face showed only serious
attention and interest.

'I do _not_