"An active, useful life is man's truest life, and the only one in which he can hope for contentment." Mrs.Markland did not answer, but partly turned her face away to conceal its expression.
"Are you not a little superstitious ?" inquired her husband.
"I believe not," was answered with forced calmness.

"But I may be very selfish." "Selfish, Agnes! Why do you say that ?" "I cannot bear the thought of giving you up to the busy world again," she answered, tenderly, leaning her head against him.

"Nor will it be done without struggle and pain on my part.

When we looked forward to the life we have been leading for the last few years, I felt that I could ask of the world nothing of external good beyond; I have yet asked nothing.

Here I have found my earthly paradise.