within the last few hours, her nature
had never been touched and awakened in its profoundest depths. She had
never known before nor had she idealized the manhood capable of evoking
the feelings which now lighted her eyes and gave to her face the
supreme charm and beauty of womanhood. In truth, it was a fitting day
and time for the birth of a love like hers, simple, all-absorbing, and
grateful. It contained no element not in harmony with that May Sunday
morning.

Holcroft came and sat on the steps below her. She kept her eyes on the
landscape, for she was consciously enough on her guard now. "I rather
guess you think, Alida, that you are looking at a better picture than
any artist fellow could paint?" he remarked.

"Yes," she replied hesitatingly, "and the picture seems all the more
lovely and full of light because the background is so very dark. I've
been thinking of what happened here last night and what might have
happened, and how I felt then."

"You feel better--different now, don't you? You certainly look so."

"Yes!--You made me very happy by yielding to Mrs. Weeks."

"Oh! I didn't yield to her at all."

"Very well, have it your own way, then."

"I think you had it your way."

"Are you sorry?"

"Do I look so? How did you know I'd be happier if I gave in?"

"Because, as you say, I'm getting better acquainted with you. YOU
couldn't help being happier for a generous act."

"I wouldn't have done it, though, if it hadn't been for you."

"I'm not so sure about that."

"I am. You're coming to make me feel confoundedly uncomfortable in my
heathenish life."

"I wish I could."

"I never had such a sermon in my life as you gave me this morning. A
Christian act like yours is worth a year of religious talk."

She looked at him wistfully for a moment and then asked, a little
abruptly, "Mr. Holcroft, have you truly forgiven that Weeks family?"

"Oh, yes! I suppose so. I've forgiven the old lady, anyhow. I've
shaken hands with her."

"If her husband and son should come and apologize and say they were
sorry, would you truly and honestly forgive them?"

"Certainly! I couldn't hold a grudge after that. What are you aiming
at?" and he turned and looked inquiringly into her face.

It was flushed and tearful in its eager, earnest interest. "Don't you
see?" she faltered.

He shook his head, but was suddenly and strangely moved by her
expression.

"Why, Mr. Holcroft, if you can honestly forgi