"One can trust you; in fact, I wanted to tell you before." He explained his difficulties, practical and moral, and when he finished Muriel said: "It comes to this--You are in love with Helen and mean to marry her, but hesitate because you fear she may find the life too hard." "It's a big risk for an English girl.

She must give up everything, while I have all to gain." "But suppose she were willing ?" "The trouble is that she doesn't know what she may have to bear." Muriel smiled.

"It's a risk that many girls must run.

But after all it depends upon what she values most." "Comfort, leisure, refined friends, and other things you enjoy here are worth much to a girl." "All this is true," Muriel agreed, and pausing, continued with a blush: "Still these things don't satisfy every need, and perhaps my example may be some encouragement.

Fred isn't very clever and will probably never be rich, but I'd sooner face poverty with him than marry a prince." Festing bowed.