own worthiness disturbs you, come back and offer
her what any woman should be glad to take,--
my boy's true heart."

John smiled at the motherly pride of her words,
but answered with a wistful look.

"It seems very long to wait, mother. If I could
just ask her for a word of hope, I could be very
patient then."

"Ah, my dear, better bear one year of impatience
now than a lifetime of regret hereafter. Nan
is happy; why disturb her by a word which will
bring the tender cares and troubles that come soon
enough to such conscientious creatures as herself?
If she loves you, time will prove it; therefore, let
the new affection spring and ripen as your early
friendship has done, and it will be all the stronger
for a summer's growth. Philip was rash, and has
to bear his trial now, and Laura shares it with him.
Be more generous, John; make your trial, bear
your doubts alone, and give Nan the happiness
without the pain. Promise me this, dear,--promise
me to hope and wait."

The young man's eye kindled, and in his heart
there rose a better chivalry, a truer valor, than any
Di's knights had ever known.