“I cannot see anything in him to like very much, Louis,” I replied; “when I met him in Hal’s sick-room, he seemed really beautiful.  His eyes looked so large and dreamy, and he had such sympathy for Hal, and I like him now, for that, but otherwise he jars me so I say all sorts of uncomfortable things, and his talk always irritates me.  No, I could not imagine your mother loving him, for she is so much better than I am, and I could never love him in the world.”

Louis’ hold on my arm tightened, and he said: 

“Ah!  Miss Emily, you are beginning to know yourself, you are learning to understand others, and I am glad,” and to his eyes came again that earnest look, “for I long to be known by you; I have brought you a Christmas present, and the New Year is at hand before I give it to you—­wear this in the dark, until your heart says you love me, then let the light fall on it.”

He put a box in my hand, and when I opened it in my own room I found a small and finely linked chain of gold, and attached to it a locket holding Louis’ picture.  One side was inlaid with blue enamel in a spray of flowers, and on the other the name “Emily.”  My heart told me that I did love Louis, and then there came so many changeful thoughts, that I felt myself held back, and could not express myself to Louis.

This evening was spent in our middle room, and Mr. Benton, being obliged to write letters, was not with us.  Of this I was glad, for it gave relief to the three who were cognizant of what had passed.  The subject of universal salvation was again brought before us, and this time my mother expressed herself greatly in favor of giving the new thoughts a hearing, and to my utter astonishment and pleasure, my father proposed going sometime to hear the Reverend Hosea Ballou, who was then preaching over his society in Boston, and came sometimes to preach for the few in a town lying to the north and east of us.  There were no houses of worship dedicated to the Universalists nearer than the one I speak of, and though it was a ride of ten miles, that was nothing for a span of good horses.

“When can we go?” rose to my lips quickly.

“Are you also desirous of hearing him, Emily?”

“Oh, father!” I said, “I want something beside the fire of torment to think of.  You know the Bible says, ’He that is guilty in one point, is guilty of the whole.’  If that is true, father, I am not safe; but if these new thoughts are truths, I am; and can you blame me if I want to know about it.  I am afraid I knew very little of what I needed when I was united to our church.”

“It is not singular, Emily,” my father said, “and I desire only to help you, if you really want to know.  We need not fear to investigate, for if the doctrines are erroneous, they are too far below our own standard of truth to harm even the soles of our feet, and if they are true, it must be they lie beyond us, and we shall feel obliged to reach for them, and be glad of the opportunity.  Halbert, have you nothing to say? are you to go with us? the three-seated wagon will hold us all.”