added
hesitatingly, "unavoidable thoughts press on me, and many hours of
recreation pass in useless dreaming."

Angela thought of his former mental troubles and looked anxiously in
his eyes.

"Now, you have promised me," she said softly, "to forget all those
things in those bad books that disturbed your mind."

"The fulfilment of no duty was lighter or more pleasant to me than to
keep my promise to you, Angela."

His voice trembled. She leaned over her work and her cheeks glowed. The
delicate fingers went astray; but Frank did not notice that the colors
in the embroidery were getting into confusion. There was a long pause.
Then Frank remembered the doctor's final admonition, "Be not like a
bashful boy; put aside all false shame and speak your mind;" and he
took courage.

"I have no right to ask what disturbs and depresses you," said she, in
a scarcely audible voice and without moving her head.

"It is you who have the best right, Angela! You have not only saved my
life, but also my better convictions. You have purified my views, and
influenced my course of life. I was deeply in error, and you have shown
me the only way that leads to peace. This I see more clearly every day.
The church is no longer a strange, but an attractive place to me. All
this you have done without design. I tell you this because I think you
sympathize with me."

He paused; but the declaration of his love hovered on his lips.

"You have not deceived yourself as to my sympathy," she answered. "The
discovery that one so insignificant as myself has any influence with
you makes me glad."

"O Angela! you are not insignificant in my eyes. You are more than all
else on earth to me!" he cried. "You are the object of my love, of my
waking dreams. If you could give me your hand before the altar in
fidelity and love, my dearest wishes would be realized."

She slowly raised her head, her modest countenance glowed in a virginal
blush, and her eyes, which met Richard's anxious look, were filled with
tears. She lowered her head, and laid her hand in that of the young
man. He folded her in his arms, pressed her to his heart, and kissed
her forehead. The swallows flew about the arbor, twittered noisily, and
threatened the robber who was trying to take away their friend. The
sparrows, through the leaves of the vines, looked with wonder at the
table where Angela's head rested on the breast of her affianced.

They arose.

"We cannot keep this from our