It would be long yet, however, ere he learned so to love goodness as to forget its beauty.

To him who _is_ good, goodness has ceased to be either object or abstraction; it is _in_ him--a thirst to give; a solemn, quiet passion to bless; a delight in beholding well-being.

Ah, how we dream and prate of love, until the holy fire of the true divine love, the love that God kindles in a man toward his fellows, burns the shadow of it out! In the afternoon Mrs.Puckridge appeared with the ring.

He took it, told her to wait, and went out.

In a few minutes he returned, and, to the woman's astonishment, gave her fifty pounds in notes.