“I have also to thank you, besides, for the very flattering proposal, for your care to put this matter before me at an early time.  Regarding how little Natalie and you have seen each other, it is impossible that either her or your affection can be so serious that it is not fair to look on your proposal with some views as to expediency; and at an early time one can easily control one’s wishes.  I can answer for my daughter that she has always acted as I thought best for her happiness; and I am sure that now, or at any time, in whatever emergency, she would far prefer to have the decision rest with me, rather than take the responsibility on herself.”

When George Brand came to this passage he read it over again; and his comment was, “My good friend, don’t be too sure of that.  It is possible that you have lived nineteen years with your daughter to very little purpose, so far as your knowledge of her character is concerned.”

“Well, then, my dear sir,” the letter proceeded, “all this being in such a way, might I ask you to reflect again over your proposal, and examine it from the view of expediency?  You and I are not free agents, just to please ourselves when we like.  Perhaps I was wrong in my first objection to your very flattering proposal; I believed you might, in marrying her, withdraw from the work we are all engaged in; I feared this as a great calamity—­an injury done to many to gratify the fancy of one.  But Natalie, I will confess, scorned me for that doubt; and, indeed, was so foolish as to propose a little hoax, to prove to me that, even if she promised to marry you as a reward, she could not get you to abandon our cause.  ‘No, no,’ she said; ’that is not to be feared.  He is not one to go back.’”

When George Brand read these words his breath came and went a little quickly.  She should not find her faith in him misplaced.

“That is very well, very satisfactory, I said to her.  We cannot afford to lose you, whatever happens.  To return; there are more questions of expediency.  For example, how can one tell what may be demanded of one?  Would it be wise for you to be hampered with a wife when you know not where you may have to go?  Again, would not the cares of a household seriously interfere with your true devotion to your labors?  You are so happily placed!  You are free from responsibilities:  why increase them?  At present Natalie is in a natural and comfortable position; she has grown accustomed to it; she is proud to know that she can be of assistance to us; her life is not an unhappy one.  But consider—­a young wife, separated from her husband perhaps by the Atlantic:  in a new home, with new duties; anxious, terrified with apprehensions:  surely that is not the change you would wish to see?”

For a second Brand was almost frightened by this picture, and a pang of remorse flashed through his heart.  But then his common-sense reasserted itself.  Why the Atlantic?  Why should they be separated?  Why should she be terrified with apprehensions?