without, but one whose stalk is weak, whose
petals are too delicate, whose soft bloom is evanescent. Let me be
the strong staff against which my beloved may blow in safety."

A vague idea came across Lizzie's mind that this glowing language had
a taste of the Bible about it, and that, therefore, it was in some
degree impersonal, and intended to be pious. She did not relish piety
at such a crisis as this, and was, therefore, for a moment inclined
to be cold. But she liked being called a flower, and was not quite
sure whether she remembered her Bible rightly. The words which struck
her ear as familiar might have come from Juan and Haidee, and if so,
nothing could be more opportune. "Do you expect me to give you answer
now, Mr. Emilius?"

"Yes,--now." And he stood before her in calm dignity, with his arms
crossed upon his breast.

She did give him his answer then and there, but first she turned her
face to the wall,--or rather to the back of the sofa, and burst into
a flood of tears. It was a delicious moment to her, that in which she
was weeping. She sobbed forth something about her child, something
about her sorrows, something as to the wretchedness of her lot in
life, something of her widowed heart,--something also of that duty to
others which would compel her to keep her income in her own hands;
and then she yielded herself to his entreaties.

* * * * *

That evening she thought it proper to tell Miss Macnulty what had
occurred. "He is a great preacher of the gospel," she said, "and
I know no position in the world more worthy of a woman's fondest
admiration." Miss Macnulty was unable to answer a word. She could not
congratulate her successful rival, even though her bread depended on
it. She crept slowly out of the room, and went up-stairs, and wept.

Early in the month of June, Lady Eustace was led to the hymeneal
altar by her clerical bridegroom. The wedding took place at the
Episcopal church at Ayr, far from the eyes of curious Londoners. It
need only be further said that Mr. Emilius could be persuaded to
agree to no settlements prejudicial to that marital supremacy which
should be attached to the husband; and that Lizzie, when the moment
came, knowing that her betrothal had been made public to all the
world, did not dare to recede from another engagement. It may be
that Mr. Emilius will suit her as well as any husband that she could
find,--unless it shall be found that his previous career