The six sisters of the valleys : an historical romance - University Library

36 THE SIX SISTERS OF THE VALLEYS.
of this life may my happiness be in thee ;
may heaven be my home, and Christ my
friend ! Lord ! bless him who saved me in
this place, and tnrn his heart to thee !
of the fatherless, pity and protect me !
God
the sake of Christ onr mediator. Amen."
for
That Amen rang npon the evening air,
and it was not unheard on earth, for it
caused Echard's heart to tremble under new
and undefined emotions. He had beheld
her face lit up with the last gush of sun-
shine, and heard her voice faltering with
the accents of sorrow. He felt the thrill
of hope, for he had the assurance that she
had not forgotten him. But fears and doubts
overcast his joy. He had passed before her
mind only by the associations of memory
and of gratitude, which must form part of
that generous heart.
As Echard gazed upon her he felt that
unbidden homage which the heart unde-
signedly yields to the beautiful and good.
He had invaded the privacy of her grief. He