Yonge_Heir_of_Redclyffe.txt topic ['13', '324', '378', '393']

improvement in his general health, saying this was but a chance thing,
and that on the whole he might be considered as quite restored.

. listened and answered, but could not comprehend the state
of things. was over, when she heard speaking to
in the ante-room.

' will go off soon. is a cup of hot coffee for you to take him.
'll call you when it is time to go.'

and were very busy looking after 's packing up,
and putting all that was wanted into the carriage, in which the pair
were to set off at once from church, without returning to .

the last moment she went to warn it was time to go, if he
meant to walk to church alone, the best thing for his head.

' is better,' said , somewhat comforted.

' better for your bathing it, thank you,' said , rising;
then, turning to ,--' wish you good-bye now?'

', shall see you at church, unless you don't like to have my
blackness there.'

' we not have our guardian angel, ?' said .

' know _he_ would have been there,' said . ' one would have
been more glad, so thank you for letting me come.'

' you for coming,' said , earnestly. ' is a comfort.'

left her, and she stood a few minutes to enjoy the solitude, and
to look from the window at her little girl, whom she had sent out with
. was just about to open the window to call to her, and make
her look up with one of her merry shouts of '!' when came
out at the garden-door, and was crossing the lawn. was very fond
of him, flattered by the attention of the tallest person in the house,
and she stretched her arms, and gave a cry of summons. watched
him turn instantly, take her from her nurse, and hold her in a close
embrace, whilst her little round arms met round his neck. was
unwilling to be restored to , and when he left she looked up in his
face, and unprompted, held up to him the primroses and violets in her
hand.

flowers were in his coat when saw him again at church, and
she knew that this spontaneous proof of affection from 's little
unconscious child was more precious to him than all the kindnesses she
could bestow.

space was there for musing, for it was high time to set off for
church. met the party at the wicket of the churchyard, took
on her arm, and by look and sign inquired for .

' outwardly,' he answered, 'and think so inwardly.
does her so much good as to represent him. you wonder to see her?'

'' said . ' thought she would come. is the crowning point
of his forgiveness.'

' forgiveness that she has forgotten there is anything to forgive,'
said .

and stood before . . was not
such a wedding as the last. was more personal beauty, but no
such air of freshness, youth, and peace. was, indeed, a very fine-
looking man, his countenance more noble than it had ever been, though
pale and not only betraying the present suffering of the throbbing,
burning brow, but with the appearance of a care-worn, harassed man,
looking more as if his age was five-and-thirty than eight-and-twenty.
she, in her plain white muslin and quiet bonnet, was hardly bridal-
looking in dress, and so it was with her face, still beautiful and
brilliant in complexion, but with the weight of care permanent on it,
and all the shades of feeling concealed by a fixed command of
countenance, unable, however, to hide the oppression of dejection and
anxiety.

to the eyes that only beheld the surface, there was nothing but
prosperity and happiness in a marriage between a pair who had loved so
long and devotedly, and after going through so much for each other's
sake, were united at length, with wealth, honour, and distinction
before them. health was re-established, and the last spring had
proved that his talents would place him in such a position as had been
the very object of his highest hopes. not everything here for
which the fondest and most aspiring wishes could seek? for the
very reason that there was sadness at almost every heart, not one tear
was shed. . 's thoughts were less engrossed with the
bride than with the young slender figure in black, standing in her own
drooping way, her head bent down, and the fingers of her right hand
clasping tight her wedding-ring, through her white glove.

service was over. hung round her mother's neck in an ardent
embrace.

' pardon! 0, mamma, see it all now!'

thing! she had too much failed in a daughter's part to go forth
from her home with the clear, loving, hopeful heart her sister had
carried from it! . 's kiss was a full answer, however, a
kiss unlike what it had been with all her efforts for many and many a
month.

', pray that it may not be visited!' were the last words breathed to
her sister, as they were pressed in each other's arms.

scarcely spoke, only met their kindnesses with grateful gestures
and looks, and brief replies, and the parting was hastened that he
might as soon as possible be at rest. only voluntary speech was as
he bade farewell to ,--

' sister now!'

' _his_ brother,' she answered. '-bye!'

soon as was alone in the carriage with , she leant
back, and gave way to a flood of tears.

', has it been too much?'

',' she said, recovering herself; 'but am so glad! was _his_
chief desire. everything he wished is fulfilled.'

' you are free of your great charge. has been a considerable
care to you, but now he is safe on 's hands, and well and
satisfactory; so you have no care but your daughter, and we settle into
our home life.'

smiled.

', do wish was sure you are happy.'

', dear , indeed am. are all so very kind to me, and
it is a blessing, indeed, that my own dear home can open to take in me
and baby. know _he_ liked giving me back to you.'

' it is happiness, not only thinking it ought to be! 't let me
tease you, , don't answer if you had rather not.'

' you, , it _is_ happiness. must be when remember how
very happy he used to be, and there can be nothing to spoil it.
see how all the duties of his station worry and perplex , am
glad he was spared from it, and had all his freshness and brightness
his whole life. beams out on me more now, and it was such perfect
happiness while had him here, and it is such a pleasure and honour to
be called by his name; besides, there is baby. ! , must be
happy-- am; do believe it! , you know have you and mamma and
all too. , , think he made you all precious to me over
again by the way he loved you all, and sent me back, to you especially.
, , you must not fancy grieve. am very happy, for he is,
and all have is made bright and precious by him.'

',' said he, looking at her, as the colour had come into her face,
and she looked perfectly lovely with eager, sincere happiness; one of
her husband's sweetest looks reflected on her face; altogether, such a
picture of youth, joy, and love, as had not been displayed by the bride
that morning. ', don't believe anything could make you long
unhappy!'

' but my own fault. else can part me from him,' she
whispered almost to herself.

'; no one else had such a power of making happy,' said ,
thoughtfully. ', really don't know whether even you owe as much
to your husband as do. were good for something before, but when
look back on what was when first he came, know that his leading,
unconscious as it was, brought out the stifled good in me. a
wretch should have been; what a misery to myself and to you all by
this time, and now, verily believe, that since he let in the sunlight
from heaven on me, am better off than if had as many legs as other
people.'

' off?'

'. else lives in such an atmosphere of petting, and has so
little to plague them. else has such a "mamma," to say nothing
of silly little , or , or . as to being
of no use, which used to pine about--why, when the member for
governs the country, mean to govern him.'

' am sure you are of wonderful use to every one,' said ;
'neither nor papa could get on without you to do their writing
for them. , want you to help me when baby grows older.'

' that the laudable result of that great book on education saw you
reading the other day?' said . ' don't you borrow a few
hints from . ?'

's clear, playful laugh was just what it used to be.

' is all settled, then, that you go on with us! that ever
thought you were going to do anything so absurd as to set up for
yourself, you silly little woman: but it seems to be considered right
to come to a formal settlement about such a grand personage as my
.'

'; it was better to come to an understanding,' said . ' was
better that papa should make up his mind to see that can't turn into
a young lady again. see will go out with him and be the
for company, and he is so proud of her liveliness and--
how pretty she is growing--so that will keep him from being vexed.
now you see can go on my own way, attend to baby, and take 's
business about the school, and keep out of the way of company, so that
it is very nice and comfortable. is the very thing that
wished!'

's life is here pretty well shown. of and may
be guessed at. was a distinguished man, one of the most honoured
and respected in the country, admired for his talents and excellence,
and regarded universally as highly prosperous and fortunate, the pride
of all who had any connection with him. it was a harassed, anxious
life, with little of repose or relief; and spent her time between
watching him and tending his health, and in the cares and
representation befitting her station, with little space for domestic
pleasure and home comfort, knowing her children more intimately through
her sister's observation than through her own.

and devoted as ever was their love, and they were thought most
admirable and happy people. was some wonder at his being a
grave, melancholy man, when he had all before him so richly to enjoy,
contrary to every probability when he began life. there was one
who never could understand why others should think him stern and
severe, and why even his own children should look up to him with love
that partook of distant awe and respect, one to whom he never was
otherwise than indulgent, nay, almost reverential, in the gentleness of
his kindness, and that was .