I can't help feeling--a confidence in myself. It may be
conceit, but it is natural for me to trust in my own judgment, and plan
my own course of life, and until disaster attends my attempts I shall
continue to act for myself. Of this I am certain!'

'Ah, don't say that!' exclaimed Agatha; 'it would be sad if disaster
were to follow this step of yours. I hoped, from your advocating a
country life, that you would be content to settle down here quietly.
If it is the dulness of the place that is driving you abroad, I am
sorry we ever came here.'

'I am never dull anywhere,' Gwen said quickly; 'I have too many
resources. It is not that at all. I have wanted to go out to Walter
for a long time, and now I have made enough money to do it, nothing
will stop me.'

'You are so sure of yourself,' said Agatha, sighing.

'Yes, and I am not ashamed of it. We can't be all alike, and
self-confidence is a great blessing sometimes. It saves one from an
infinite amount of care and worry.'

Agatha was silent. As is often the case with sisters, there was great
reserve between them on matters that lay closely to their hearts, and
though Agatha longed to warn Gwen of her besetting fault, she hesitated.

Gwen continued with alacrity: 'I have made inquiries about steamers,
and hope to sail the week after next. I have very little preparation
to make, for I am not given to much luggage.'

'And you mean to go out quite by yourself?'

'Why not? In these days chaperons are unnecessary. There are always
some nice people on board who befriend single women. I am not a young
girl.'

'You are not very old,' said Agatha, scanning the bright, handsome face
with its wilful mouth and determined chin; 'and as I know vanity is not
a failing of yours, I may say that you are too good-looking to be going
about the world alone.'

Gwen laughed. 'Oh, you poor old thing! Why will you try to mother us
all, when you cannot manage it! You may be perfectly certain I can
take care of myself. Now shall we go to bed, or have you any more
objections to make?'

'I wish you would pray over it,' were Agatha's parting words; and when
Gwen got to her room that night she pondered over them.

She was not actually irreligious. She read her Bible occasionally, and
went through a form of prayer by her bedside every night; but religion
had never touched her heart. It was but an empty name to her, and she
was too secure in her self-confidence and pride to