Maud did not answer, though she looked surprised that Beulah should say this to her.

“Evert has reasoned and talked so much to my father and mother,” continued the fiancee, blushing, “that they have thought we had better be married at once.  Do you know, Maud, that it has been settled this evening, that the ceremony is to take place to-morrow!”

“This is sudden, indeed, Beulah!  Why have they determined on so unexpected a thing?”

“It is all owing to the state of the country.  I know not how he has done it—­but Evert has persuaded my father, that the sooner I am his wife, the more secure we shall all be, here at the Knoll.”

“I hope you love Evert Beekman, dearest, dearest Beulah?”

“What a question, Maud!  Do you suppose I could stand up before a minister of God, and plight my faith to a man I did not love?—­Why have you seemed to doubt it?”

“I do not doubt it—­I am very foolish, for I know you are conscientious as the saints in heaven—­and yet, Beulah, I think I could scarce be so tranquil about one I loved.”

The gentle Beulah smiled, but she no longer felt uneasiness.  She understood the impulses and sentiments of her own pure but tranquil nature too well, to distrust herself; and she could easily imagine that Maud would not be as composed under similar circumstances.

“Perhaps it is well, sister of mine,” she answered laughing, though blushing, “that you are so resolved to remain single; for one hardly knows where to find a suitor sufficiently devoted and ethereal for your taste.  No one pleased you last winter, though the least encouragement would have Brought a dozen to your feet; and here there is no one you can possibly have, unless it be dear, good, old Mr. Woods.”

Maud compressed her lips, and really looked stern, so determined was she to command herself; then she answered somewhat in her sister’s vein—­

“It is very true,” she said, “there is no hero for me to accept, unless it be dear Mr. Woods; and he, poor man, has had one wife that cured him of any desire to possess another, they say.”

“Mr. Woods!  I never knew that he was married.  Who can have told you this, Maud?”

“I got it from Robert”—­answered the other, hesitating a little.  “He was talking one day of such things.”

“What things, dear?”

“Why—­of getting married—­I believe it was about marrying relatives—­or connections—­or, some such thing; for Mr. Woods married a cousin-german, it would seem—­and so he told me all about it.  Bob was old enough to know his wife, when she died.  Poor man, she led him a hard life—­he must be far from the Knoll, by this time, Beulah!”

“Mr. Woods!—­I left him with papa, a few minutes since, talking over the ceremony for to-morrow!”

“I meant Bob——­”

Here the sisters caught each other’s eyes, and both blushed, consciousness presenting to them, at the same instant, the images that were uppermost in their respective minds.  But, no more was said.  They continued their employments in silence, and soon each was kneeling in prayer.