"Were it in your power, Clara, would you make me entirely happy?"
I replied that certainly I would. She regarded me earnestly as she said,—
"Will you become Willie's wife?"
I knew not what reply to make to a question so unexpected. At length I said,—
"Willie has been a long time absent. He may have changed his mind; or, he may be already married."
"I will answer for all that," replied Mrs. Leighton.
"Willie is here. He arrived two days since, and would have called to see you ere this, but I begged him to defer calling till I had seen you, and acknowledged my former injustice to you; for I am now sensible that I wronged a worthy and noble girl."
Remember, kind reader, that, although I had expected never again to meet with Willie Leighton, I still loved him with all the strength of a first love.
Before I could frame a reply to the last remark of Mrs. Leighton, the door opened, and Willie, accompanied by his father, entered the room.
I pass over our meeting. But Mr. Leighton, soon after, placing my hand in that of Willie, said,—"God bless you, my children; may you be happy."