She did not finish her sentence, but sat twisting the links of her chatelaine about her fingers, and looking almost timidly away from his face. "Go on," he said, "what did you hope?" "That this long absence might have--that--I hardly know how to say it without offending you." "You hoped I had learned to accept life more like a reasonable being, isn't that it? I think I have, Bessie; we will be happy now, very happy; you and Elsie and I." He took her hand and held it in his own; was it true that it trembled, or only his fancy that made him think so? "We shall be happy, Elizabeth?" he repeated, this time making the words an inquiry. "I hope so--oh, I do hope so!" she exclaimed with sudden passion; "I want to be happy, oh, my husband! I want to be happy." She threw her arms about his neck, and her head dropped on his shoulder; but the face which he could not see wore a strained, frightened look, as if she saw some dark shadow rise between her and its fulfilment. Mellen strained her to his heart, and showered kisses down upon her cold face,--kisses, so warm from the heart, that her cheeks kindled into scarlet under them, and she began to weep those gentle tears that drop from a loving heart like dew from a flower. "Our lives shall go on quietly and pleasantly now," he continued, giving himself to the full happiness of this reunion; "we will have one long summer, Bessie, and warm our hearts in it." "I have been in the cold so long," she murmured. "But that is over--over for ever! We will be trustful Bessie: we will be patient and loving always; can't we promise each other this, my wife?" he said, drawing her closer to his bosom. "I can, Grantley; I do!" "And I promise, Elizabeth, I will never be suspicious or harsh again. You and I could be so happy now." "You will love me and trust me!" she cried, almost hysterically. "Always, Bessie, always!" Again he clasped her in his arms, pressing kisses upon her forehead, and murmuring words which, from a husband's lips are sweeter and holier than the romance of courtship could ever be, even in the first glow of its loveliest mystery. Elizabeth nestled closer to his heart, and a feeling of rest and serenity stole over her so inexpressibly soothing and sweet, that she almost longed to float away for ever from the care and dimness of this world upon the sacred hush of that hour. There was a sound without which startled them both, making Mellen turn hastily, and sending the sickly pallor anew across Elizabeth's face. "Only the wind," he said, "blowing one of the shutters to with a crash." "That is all, it----" She did not finish; her eyes were fixed upon the window; she made one movement; tried to control herself; looked in the other direction before her husband could observe the eagerness with which her eyes had been strained out into the night; but all her attempts at self-control were in vain; she gave one heavy sigh, and sank lower and perfectly helpless in his arms.