"That care and trial seem at last, Through Memory"s sunset air, Like mountain ranges overpast, In purple distance fair."
The note fluttered to the floor, the hands folded themselves together, and she raised her eyes to utter an humble, fervent "Thank G.o.d!" But the words froze on her lips; for as she looked up, she saw Mr. Murray standing a few feet from her.
"G.o.d has pardoned all my sins, and accepted me as a laborer worthy to enter His vineyard. Is Edna Earl more righteous than the Lord she worships?"
His face was almost as pale as hers, and his voice trembled as he extended his arms toward her.
She stood motionless, looking up at him with eyes that brightened until their joyful radiance seemed indeed unearthly; and the faint, delicate blush on her cheeks deepened and burned, as with a quivering cry of gladness that told volumes, she hid her face in her hands.
He came nearer, and the sound of his low, mellow voice thrilled her heart as no other music had ever done.
"Edna, have you a right to refuse me forgiveness, when the blood of Christ has purified me from the guilt of other years?"
She trembled and said brokenly:
"Mr. Murray--you never wronged me--and I have nothing to forgive."
"Do you still believe me an unprincipled hypocrite?"
"Oh! no, no, no!"
"Do you believe that my repentance has been sincere, and acceptable to my insulted G.o.d? Do you believe that I am now as faithfully endeavoring to serve Him, as a remorseful man possibly can?"
"I hope so, Mr. Murray."
"Edna, can you trust me now?"
Some seconds elapsed before she answered, and then the words were scarcely audible.
"I trust you."
"Thank G.o.d!"
There was a brief pause, and she heard a heavily-drawn sigh escape him.
"Edna, it is useless to tell you how devotedly I love you, for you have known that for years; and yet you have shown my love no mercy.
But perhaps if you could realize how much I need your help in my holy work, how much more good I could accomplish in the world if you were with me, you might listen, without steeling yourself against me, as you have so long done. Can you, will you trust me fully? Can you be a minister"s wife, and aid him as only you can? Oh, my darling, my darling! I never expect to be worthy of you! But you can make me less unworthy! My own darling, come to me."
He stood within two feet of her, but he was--too humble? Nay, nay, too proud to touch her without permission.
Her hands fell from her crimson cheeks, and she looked up at the countenance of her king.
In her fond eyes he seemed n.o.ble and sanctified, and worthy of all confidence; and as he opened his arms once more, she glided into them and laid her head on his shoulder, whispering:
"Oh! I trust you! I trust you fully!"
Standing in the close, tender clasp of his strong arms, she listened to a narration of his grief and loneliness, his hopes and fears, his desolation and struggles and prayers during their long separation.
Then for the first time she learned that he had come more than once to New York, solely to see her, having exacted a promise from Mr.
Manning that he would not betray his presence in the city. He had followed her at a distance as she wandered with the children through the Park; and, once in the ramble, stood so close to her that he put out his hand and touched her dress. Mr. Manning had acquainted him with all that had ever pa.s.sed between them on the subject of his unsuccessful suit; and during her sojourn in Europe, had kept him regularly advised of the state of her health.
At last, when Mr. Murray bent his head to press his lips again to hers, he exclaimed in the old, pleading tone that had haunted her memory for years:
"Edna, with all your meekness you are wilfully proud. You tell me you trust me, and you nestle your dear head here on my shoulder--why won"t you say what you know so well I am longing, hungering to hear?
Why won"t you say, "St. Elmo, I love you"?"
The glowing face was only pressed closer.
"My little darling!"
"Oh, Mr. Murray! could I be here."
"Well, my stately Miss Earl! I am waiting most respectfully to allow you an opportunity of expressing yourself."
No answer.
He laughed as she had heard him once before, when he took her in his arms and dared her to look into his eyes.
"When I heard your books extolled; when I heard your praises from men, women, and children; when I could scarcely pick up a paper without finding some mention of your name; when I came here to- night, and paced the pavement, waiting for your admirers to leave the house; whenever and wherever I have heard your dear name uttered, I have been exultingly proud! For I knew that the heart of the people"s pet was mine! I gloried in the consciousness which alone strengthened and comforted me, that, despite all that the public could offer you, despite the adulation of other men, and despite my utter unworthiness, my own darling was true to me! that you never loved any one but S. Elmo Murray! And as G.o.d reigns above us, His happy world holds no man so grateful, so happy, so proud as I am! No man so resolved to prove himself worthy of his treasure!
Edna, looking back across the dark years that have gone so heavily over my head, and comparing you, my pure, precious darling, with that woman, whom in my boyhood I selected for my life-companion, I know not whether I am most humble, or grateful, or proud!
"Ah I who am I, that G.o.d hath saved Me from the doom I did desire, And crossed the lot myself had craved To set me higher?
What have I done that he should bow From heaven to choose a wife for me?
And what deserved, he should endow My home with THEE?""
As Mr. Hammond was not able to take the fatiguing journey North, and Edna would not permit any one else to perform her marriage ceremony, she sent Mr. Murray home without her, promising to come to the parsonage as early as possible.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrews were deeply pained by the intelligence of her approaching departure, and finally consented to accompany her on her journey.
The last day of the orphan"s sojourn in New York was spent at the quiet spot where Felix slept his last sleep; and it caused her keen grief to bid good-bye to his resting-place, which was almost as dear to her as the grave of her grandfather. Their affection had been so warm, so sacred, that she clung fondly to his memory; and it was not until she reached the old village depot, where carriages were waiting for the party, that the shadow of that day entirely left her countenance.
In accordance with her own request, Edna did not see Mr. Murray again until the hour appointed for their marriage.
It was a bright, beautiful afternoon, warm with sunshine, when she permitted Mrs. Murray to lead her into the study where the party had a.s.sembled. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews, Hattie, Huldah, and the white- haired pastor, were all there, and when Edna entered, Mr. Murray advanced to meet her, and received her hand from his mother.
The orphan"s eyes were bent to the floor, and never once lifted, even when the trembling voice of her beloved pastor p.r.o.nounced her St. Elmo Murray"s wife. The intense pallor of her face frightened Mrs. Andrews, who watched her with suspended breath, and once moved eagerly toward her. Mr. Murray felt her lean more heavily against him during the ceremony; and, now turning to take her in his arms, he saw that her eyelashes had fallen on her cheeks--she had lost all consciousness of what was pa.s.sing.
Two hours elapsed before she recovered fully from the attack; and when the blood showed itself again in lips that were kissed so repeatedly, Mr. Murray lifted her from the sofa in the study, and pa.s.sing his arm around her, said:
"To-day I snap the fetters of your literary bondage. There shall be no more books written! No more study, no more toil, no more anxiety, no more heartaches! And that dear public you love so well, must even help itself, and whistle for a new pet. You belong solely to me now, and I shall take care of the life you have nearly destroyed in your inordinate ambition. Come, the fresh air will revive you."
They stood a moment under the honeysuckle arch over the parsonage gate, where the carriage was waiting to take them to Le Bocage, and Mr. Murray asked:
"Are you strong enough to go to the church?"
"Yes, sir; the pain has all pa.s.sed away. I am perfectly well again."
They crossed the street, and he took her in his arms and carried her up the steps, and into the grand, solemn church, where the soft, holy, violet light from the richly-tinted gla.s.s streamed over gilded organ-pipes and sculptured columns.