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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。 His 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。 Was not everything here for
which the fondest and most aspiring wishes could seek？ Yet for the
very reason that there was sadness at almost every heart； not one tear
was shed。 Mrs。 Edmonstone'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。
The service was over。 Laura hung round her mother's neck in an ardent
embrace。
'Your pardon！ 0； mamma； I see it all now！'
Poor 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！ Mrs。 Edmonstone's kiss was a full answer； however； a
kiss unlike what it had been with all her efforts for many and many a
month。
'Amy； pray that it may not be visited！' were the last words breathed to
her sister； as they were pressed in each other's arms。
Philip 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。 His only voluntary speech was as
he bade farewell to Amabel；
'My sister now！'
'And _his_ brother；' she answered。 'Good…bye！'
As soon as Amabel was alone in the carriage with Charles； she leant
back； and gave way to a flood of tears。
'Amy； has it been too much？'
'No；' she said； recovering herself； 'but I am so glad！ It was _his_
chief desire。 Now everything he wished is fulfilled。'
'And you are free of your great charge。 He has been a considerable
care to you； but now he is safe on Laura's hands； and well and
satisfactory； so you have no care but your daughter； and we settle into
our home life。'
Amabel smiled。
'Amy； I do wish I was sure you are happy。'
'Yes； dear Charlie； indeed I am。 You 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。 You know _he_ liked giving me back to you。'
'And it is happiness； not only thinking it ought to be！ Don't let me
tease you； Amy； don't answer if you had rather not。'
'Thank you； Charlie； it _is_ happiness。 It must be when I remember how
very happy he used to be； and there can be nothing to spoil it。 When I
see how all the duties of his station worry and perplex Philip； I am
glad he was spared from it； and had all his freshness and brightness
his whole life。 It beams out on me more now； and it was such perfect
happiness while I had him here； and it is such a pleasure and honour to
be called by his name； besides； there is baby。 Oh！ Charlie； I must be
happyI am； do believe it！ Indeed； you know I have you and mamma and
all too。 And； Charlie； I think he made you all precious to me over
again by the way he loved you all； and sent me back； to you especially。
Yes； Charlie； you must not fancy I grieve。 I am very happy； for he is；
and all I have is made bright and precious by him。'
'Yes；' 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。 'Amy； I don't believe anything could make you long
unhappy！'
'Nothing but my own fault。 Nothing else can part me from him；' she
whispered almost to herself。
'Yes； no one else had such a power of making happy；' said Charles；
thoughtfully。 'Amy； I really don't know whether even you owe as much
to your husband as I do。 You were good for something before； but when
I look back on what I was when first he came； I know that his leading；
unconscious as it was； brought out the stifled good in me。 What a
wretch I should have been； what a misery to myself and to you all by
this time； and now； I verily believe； that since he let in the sunlight
from heaven on me； I am better off than if I had as many legs as other
people。'
'Better off？'
'Yes。 Nobody else lives in such an atmosphere of petting； and has so
little to plague them。 Nobody else has such a 〃mamma；〃 to say nothing
of silly little Amy； or Charlotte； or Miss Morville。 And as to being
of no use； which I used to pine aboutwhy； when the member for
Moorworth governs the country； I mean to govern him。'
'I am sure you are of wonderful use to every one；' said Amabel；
'neither Philip nor papa could get on without you to do their writing
for them。 Besides； I want you to help me when baby grows older。'
'Is that the laudable result of that great book on education I saw you
reading the other day？' said Charles。 'Why don't you borrow a few
hints from Mrs。 Henley？'
Amy's clear； playful laugh was just what it used to be。
'It is all settled； then； that you go on with us！ Not that I 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 Lady
Morville。'
'Yes； it was better to come to an understanding；' said Amabel。 'It was
better that papa should make up his mind to see that I can't turn into
a young lady again。 You see Charlotte will go out with him and be the
Miss Edmonstone for company； and he is so proud of her liveliness and
how pretty she is growingso that will keep him from being vexed。 So
now you see I can go on my own way； attend to baby； and take Laura's
business about the school； and keep out of the way of company； so that
it is very nice and comfortable。 It is the very thing that Guy
wished！'
Amabel's life is here pretty well shown。 That of Philip and Laura may
be guessed at。 He 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。 Yet it was a harassed； anxious
life； with little of repose or relief； and Laura 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。
Perfect and devoted as ever was their love； and they were thought most
admirable and happy peo