"It might have been well," continued Armstrong, slowly, while a sad expression clouded his face for a few moments, "if I had waited, and many a time has my conscience smitten me for my haste.  But what could I do?  Emmy most unaccountably fell in love wi' me--_thank God_! for I do think that the greatest earthly blessing that can be given to mortal man is the love of a gentle, true-hearted girl.  The wealth of the Indies cannot purchase that, and nothing else in life can supply the want of it.  Can you wonder that I grasped the treasure when within my reach?"