"And would He make me see, if I were to ask Him? Oh, mama I only think if He would!" Mrs Vane clasped the eager little hand that touched hers, and sighed. "But, mama, He could do it. He opened blind eyes many times while He was on earth, and His being in heaven now would make no difference. He _could_ do it, I suppose," said Frederica, not knowing very well what to say. "And will He, do you think, if I ask Him? Mama will ask Him too, and you and Tessie." "He could do it if He chose. But perhaps it means not such things we are to ask for, but that He would teach us, and make us wise and good, and forgive us our sins, and take us to heaven when we die," said Frederica. "And you are very happy as you are, dear! You don't care very much about it, do you?" said she, kissing softly the beautiful blind eyes that were wet, though they were smiling, too. "Frederica, love, you are making your sister unhappy, I fear," said her mother anxiously. "My darling, come to me!" Selina kissed her mother gently two or three times. "Unhappy! no, mama. It was only for a moment, and it was for you that I wished it, mama, more than for myself." Her mother could only murmur fond words over her, as she caressed her tenderly. "But it cannot be true, all that Fred has been saying," broke in Tessie. "It is a pity. But it is only one of Fred's ideas." "But it must be true, because Jesus said those very words, only I suppose we do not understand it yet," said Frederica. "We will read more. And, mama, Selina will see when she gets to heaven." Mrs Vane uttered an exclamation of impatience and astonishment. "Frederica! why do you say such things?" "Let us read more," said Selina, for she saw that her mother was troubled at the discussion. And so they read on. Not in the Old Testament, but in the New. They read of the wonderful words and deeds of our Lord, and Selina drank in the strange glad tidings with awe and delight. She never in her mother's presence said anything more about her wish to see. She spoke of it to her sisters, and for a little while the desire disturbed the gentle current of her thoughts and enjoyments. But it passed away, and the sweet content that had brightened all these years to her mother came back again. She listened, and mused, and wondered at all she heard, and by-and-by, as her mind opened, and she understood better the nature of those things that are promised without reserve to those who ask for them aright, she never ceased to ask humbly yet undoubtingly that to her and to those whom she loved, they might be given in due time. CHAPTER TEN. And so the untroubled days passed, till Mr Vane came home again. They were glad to see him, and indeed made a jubilee of the day of his return. But there was an unconfessed fear in the heart of each that a change was at hand, and that their untroubled days were at an end.