“And for all this joy, in store for me, Carlotti,” said Florence, leaning toward her friend and laying her hand affectionately on her cheek, “I am indebted to you.”

“To me?  How to me, dear?” asked Carlotti.

“You saved me from an alliance with Leland.  Oh, into what an abyss of wretchedness would I have fallen!  I heard to-day that, after cruelly abusing poor Agnes in Charleston, where they removed, he finally abandoned her.  Can it be true?”

“It is, I believe, too true.  Agnes came back to her friends last week, bringing with her a babe.  I have not seen her; but those who have tell me that her story of suffering makes the heart ache.  She looks ten years older.”

“Ah me!” sighed Florence.  “Marriage—­how much it involves!  Even now, as I stand at its threshold, with so much that looks bright in the future, I tremble.  Of Edward’s excellent character and goodness of heart, all bear testimony.  He is every thing I could wish; but will I make him happy?”

“Not all you could wish,” said Carlotti, seriously.  “None are perfection here; and you must not expect this.  You will find, in your husband’s character, faults.  Anticipate this; but let the anticipation prepare you to bear with rather than be hurt when they appear, and do not seek too soon to correct them.  It is said by a certain deeply-seeing writer on spiritual themes, that when the angels come to try one, they explore his mind only to find the good therein, that they may excite it to activity.  Be, then, your husband’s angel; explore his mind for the good it contains, and seek to develop and strengthen it.  Looking intently at what is good in him, you will not be likely to see faults looming up and assuming a magnitude beyond their real dimensions.  But when faults appear, as they assuredly will, compare them with your own; and, as you would have him exercise forbearance toward you, do you exercise forbearance toward him.  Be wise in your love, my friend.  Wisdom and love are married partners.  If you separate them, neither is a safe guide.  But if you keep them united, like a rower who pulls both oars, you will glide swiftly forward in a smooth sea.”

Florence bent her head as she listened, and every word of her friend made its impression.  Long after were they remembered and acted upon, and they saved her from hours of pain.  Florence is a happy wife; but how near did she come to making shipwreck of her love-freighted heart?  There are times when, in thinking of it, she trembles.

KATE’S EXPERIMENT.

Kate Harbell, a high-spirited girl, who had a pretty strong will of her own, was about being married.  Like a great many others of her age and sex who approach the matrimonial altar, Kate’s notions of the marriage relation were not the clearest in the world.