“That is lucky for us both, since I am a poor fellow whose health has given way—­who is never likely to have any success at all.”

“You don’t know, Harry; but this is not the time to remember pride and ambition—­it is the time to recover all the health and strength you can; and with them hope and power will return.  What do you most enjoy in the absence of work?”

“Fresh air, fine scenery, and the converse of men.  To live plainly is no hardship to me; it would be a great hardship to fall on lower associations, which is the common destiny of the poor and decayed scholar.  You will save me, Bessie?”

“Indeed I will!” And on this they clasped hands fervently.

“Bessie, can we go to Italy together this winter?  I dare not go alone:  I must have you to take care of me,” pleaded Harry.

“I will take care of you, Harry.”  Bessie was smiling, tearful, blushing, and Harry said she was a dear, good girl, and he thanked her.

After that there was some exposition of ways and means, and Bessie, growing rosier and rosier, told Harry the story of that famous nest-egg, concerning which she had been put to the blush before.  He was very glad to hear of it—­very glad indeed, and much relieved, for it would make that easy which he had been dwelling on as most of all desirable, but hampered with difficulties that he could not himself remove.  To see him cheer up at this practical point was delightful to Bessie; it was like his generous warm heart, equally open to give and to receive.  She felt almost too happy, and blessed the simple forethought of the doctor which would justify them in remitting all care and anxiety to a future at least two years off, and afford Harry leisure and opportunity to regain his health and courage, and look about him for another vocation than that he had chosen originally.

“And you will find it, Harry, and perhaps you will love it better than London and dusty law.  I am sure I shall,” prophesied Bessie gayly.

Harry laughed at her obstinate prejudice; she pointed out that the result had proved it a shrewd prejudice; and then they fell upon Italy and talked travel-talk with the sanguine anticipations of young people endowed with limitless curiosity and a genuine taste for simple pleasures and each other’s society.  Harry’s classical learning would be everywhere available for the enhancement of these pleasures.

At this stage of their previsions Mrs. Musgrave intervened, and Bessie became conscious that the shades of evening were stealing over the landscape.  Mrs. Musgrave had on her bonnet, and was prepared to walk with Bessie on the road to Fairfield until they should meet Mr. Musgrave returning from Hampton, who would accompany her the rest of the way.  Harry wished to go in his mother’s stead, but she was peremptory in bidding him stay where he was, and Bessie supported her.  “No, Harry, not to-night—­another time,” she said, and he yielded at once.