Let me assure you that, of the hundred men that take wives before
they are thirty, there is scarcely one who, in his secret soul, does
not repent it--scarcely one who does not look back with yearning
to the days when he was free."
There was a pause. The young man became very much agitated. He rose
from his chair, walked apart for a few moments, and then, returning,
resumed his seat by the old man.
"I believe you are right, sir--nay, I know you are; but I can not
be at once--I can not promise--to be all that you wish. If Margaret
Cooper would consent, I would marry her to-morrow."
The old man shook his head, but remained silent. The young one
proceeded:--
"One thing I will say, however: I will take to my studies after
this week, whatever befalls, with the hearty resolution which you
recommend. I will try to shut out the sunshine and the song. I
will endeavor to devote soul and strength, and heart and mind,
to the task before me. I KNOW that I can master these studies--I
think I can"--he continued, more modestly, modifying the positive
assertion--"and I know that it is equally my interest and duty to
do so.
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