Helen , uncle must let me write or go to mamma . She shall decide ; I ca n't ; and no one else has a right to part us , '' sobbed Amy , over her roses . `` Casimer will not marry , dear ; he is too generous to ask such a sacrifice , '' began Helen , but Amy cried indignantly , -- `` It is no sacrifice ; I 'm rich . What do I care for his poverty ? '' `` His religion ! '' hinted Helen , anxiously . `` It need not part us ; we can believe what we will . He is good ; why mind whether he is Catholic or Protestant ? '' `` But a Pole , Amy , so different in tastes , habits , character , and beliefs . It is a great risk to marry a foreigner ; races are so unlike . '' `` I do n't care if he is a Tartar , a Calmuck , or any of the other wild tribes ; I love him , he loves me , and no one need object if I do n't . '' `` But , dear , the great and sad objection still remains -- his health . He just said he had but a little while to live . '' Amy 's angry eyes grew dim , but she answered , with soft earnestness , -- `` So much the more need of me to make that little while happy . Think how much he has suffered and done for others ; surely I may do something for him . Oh , Nell , can I let him die alone and in exile , when I have both heart and home to give him ? '' Helen could say no more ; she kissed and comforted the faithful little soul , feeling all the while such sympathy and tenderness that she wondered at herself , for with this interest in the love of another came a sad sense of loneliness , as if she was denied the sweet experience that every woman longs to know . Amy never could remain long under a cloud , and seeing Helen 's tears , began to cheer both her cousin and herself . `` Hoffman said he might live with care , do n't you remember ? and Hoffman knows the case better than we .
Let us ask him if XXXXX is worse .
Amy Calmuck Casimer Catholic Helen Hoffman Nell Pole Protestant right