text:  Could he but be sure that for himself alone she would receive his hand--could he but once be satisfied of this how paltry the return how poor would be the best that he could offer for her virgin trust? What was his wealth compared with that? But _how_ be sure and satisfied? Ask and be refused? Refused and then denied the privilege to gaze upon her face and to linger hour after hour upon the melody which flowing from her fair lips had so long charmed bewildered him! To be shut out for ever from the joy that had become a part of him with which already in his dreams he had connected all that remained to him as yet of life!--It is true James Mildred was old enough to be sweet Margaret's father; but for his _heart_ with all its throbbings and anxieties it might have been the young girl's younger brother's