he should be insensible to the heavy cost?  Could it be supposed that he would all at once resign the dear one without a quiver or a pang?  There is a tremor of the soul as well as of the body, when the knife is falling on the limb to sever it, and this he suffered, struggling for composure as a martyr, and yet with all the weakness of a man.  I have watched him closely, and I have known his heart wringing with pain, as the eye of his child sparkled with joy at my approach, whilst the visible features of his face strove fiercely to suppress the rising selfishness.  He has gazed upon her, as we have sat together in the cheerful night, wondering, as it seemed, by what fascination the natural and deep-rooted love of years could be surpassed and superseded by the immature affection of a day—­forgetful of her mother’s love, that once preferred him to her sire.  In our evening walks I have seen him in our track, following from afar, eager to overtake and join us, and yet resisting the strong impulse, and forbearing.  He could not hide from me the glaring fact, that he was envious of my fortune, manifest as it was in every trifling act; nor was it, in truth, easier for him to conceal the strong determination which he had formed to act with honour and with justice.  No angry or reproachful word escaped his lips; every favour that he could show me he gladly proffered; nay, many uncalled-for and unexpected, he insisted upon my receiving, apparently, or, as I guessed, because he wished to mortify his own poor heart, and to remove from me the smallest cause for murmuring or complaint.  I endeavoured not to be unworthy of his liberality and confidence; and the daughter, who perceived the conflict in his breast, redoubled her attention, and made more evident her unimpaired and childlike love.

It wanted but a month to the time fixed for our union, when Ellen reached her twentieth year.  On that occasion, Doctor Mayhew dined with us, and passed the evening at the parsonage.  He was in high spirits; and the minister himself more gay than I had known him since our engagement.  Ellen reflected her father’s cheerfulness, and was busy in sustaining it.  All went merry as a marriage-bell.  Ellen sang her father’s favourite airs—­played the tunes that pleased him best, and acquired new energy and power as she proceeded.  The parent looked upon her with just pride, and took occasion, when the music was at its loudest, to turn to Mayhew, and to speak of her.

“How well she looks!” said he; “how beautiful she grows!”

“Yes,” answered the physician; “I don’t wonder that she made young Stukely’s heart ache.  What a figure the puss has got!”

“And her health seems quite restored!”

“Well, you are not surprised at that, I reckon.  Rest assured, my friend, if we could only let young ladies have their way, our patients would diminish rapidly.  Why, how she sings to-night!  I never knew her voice so good—­did you?”

“Oh, she is happy, Mayhew; all her thoughts are joyful!  Her heart is revelling.  It was very sinful to be so anxious on her account.”