There was a ready assent, but the uncertainty of the tone of it struck Anna Prince’s quick ear.  She seemed to know that the young man and her aunt were exchanging looks of surprise, and that they felt insecure and uncertain.  It was not the yielding maiden who had spoken to her lover, but the girl who was his good comrade and cordial friend.  The elder woman shook her head doubtfully; she knew well what this foreboded, and was impatient at the overthrow of her plans; yet she had full confidence in the power of Love.  She had seen apparent self-reliance before, and she could not believe that her niece was invincible.  At any rate nothing could be more persuasive than a twilight row upon the river, and for her part, she hoped more eagerly than ever that Love would return chief in command of the boat’s young crew; and when the young man flushed a little, and looked at her appealingly, as he turned to go down the street, his friend and counselor could not resist giving him a hopeful nod.  Nan was singularly frank, and free from affectations, and she might have already decided to lower her colors and yield the victory, and it seemed for a moment that it would be much more like her to do so, than to invite further contest when she was already won.  Miss Prince was very kind and sympathetic when this explanation had once forced itself upon her mind; she gave the young girl a most affectionate kiss when she appeared, but at this unmistakable suggestion of pleasure and treasured hopes, Nan turned back suddenly into the shaded parlor, though Mr. Gerry was waiting outside with his favorite oars, which he kept carefully in a corner of the office.

“Dear Aunt Nancy,” said the girl, with evident effort, “I am so sorry to disappoint you.  I wish for your sake that I had been another sort of woman; but I shall never marry.  I know you think I am wrong, but there is something which always tells me I am right, and I must follow another way.  I should only wreck my life, and other people’s.  Most girls have an instinct towards marrying, but mine is all against it, and God knew best when He made me care more for another fashion of life.  Don’t make me seem unkind!  I dare say that I can put it all into words better by and by, but I can never be more certain of it in my own heart than now.”

“Sit down a minute,” said Miss Prince, slowly.  “George can wait.  But, Anna, I believe that you are in love with him, and that you are doing wrong to the poor lad, and to yourself, and to me.  I lost the best happiness of my life for a whim, and you wish to throw away yours for a theory.  I hope you will be guided by me.  I have come to love you very much, and it seems as if this would be so reasonable.”