She took a long time before acknowledging to herself that Luke had somewhat disappointed her; and when she could hide the fact from herself no longer, she recognised at the same time that the disappointment was partly her own fault. She had expected too much from a human being; she had steadily refused to see any fault in him. But finding he had weaknesses, did not diminish her love for him in the least; it really enhanced it; and added something of a tender mother-love to that of a wife. And a time came when she could thank God that her eyes had been opened, and indeed opened so slowly that she was able to bear it. For she learnt the truth of those words: "From the best bliss that earth imparts, We turn unfilled to Thee again." In her disappointment she turned to the ONE Who never disappoints, and Who is "the same yesterday, and to-day and for ever." Till now she had lived for her husband, and her one absorbing aim had been to please him; her wish to do God's work in the parish was just to help Luke; he was the centre of all her thoughts; and she was conscious that her spiritual life had been hampered and dwarfed by the one consuming wish to be all in all to him. The discovery that he could after all never satisfy the hunger of her heart, sent her back to Christ. Indeed it had changed her view about many things. She was no longer worried because her husband did not seem to want her help or think her capable of parish work. If, as it seemed, God's Will was for her to do simply the duties of her quiet home life, she would do them, not only for the sake of her husband but for her God, the God Who notices if only a cup of cold water is given in the name of a disciple for His sake. The discovery changed also her views as to her mother-in-law. Her antagonism to her was chiefly due to the fact that she had prevented her from working in the parish and so becoming a still greater necessity to Luke. But if it was not the Will of God that she should do that kind of work, why worry and fret about it? She would just wait till she was shown distinctly what her duty was in the matter and meanwhile could she be training for the greatest work of all? So it is, that our disappointments, if we do not allow them to embitter us, drive us back to the ONE Who alone can satisfy our restless hungry hearts. As Spring passed away and the early summer took its place Rachel began to pant for the sea or country. She felt it difficult to wait patiently till August, which was the month in which Luke generally took his holiday. She was feeling limp herself and he was looking tired and worn out and much needed a change. Although Rachel opened every window in the house, no air seemed to penetrate the narrow road in which it stood, and it was so small that it was difficult to get away from the sun. In the morning it filled the dining-room, and in the afternoon the drawing-room.