"My aunt, will you not look upon me?"
"I have wronged you," she said. "How will you bear hard work and want?"
"Ask Isabel if she thinks I cannot bear them with her."
Isabel stood up; her strength came back with the sudden joy that overwhelmed her, and she held forth her hand to the youth, radiant as an angel. He led her towards Mrs. Farnham.
"Mother, you will not repulse us, now, when we are alike in condition. Give us your blessing before we go forth on our struggle with the world."
All that was good in that woman's nature broke forth with the first gush of true maternal love; for a moment she forgot herself and held out her hand.
"Oh, Fred! I hate to give you up altogether; but, then, I really am not your mother. Don't you see it in his bright hair? in those beautiful eyes?—we ought to have known he was my son by his face. But, only think of that horrid woman's bringing him up among all those low people; but she could not make him like them. There is a medium in blood, you see. But, when, you took so naturally to our life; really, I don't see my way clear yet!"
"But won't you speak to Isabel, mother?"
"Isabel! dear me, I should not know her. How do you do, my dear?
Certainly, it's very proper and right that you should marry Fred, now!
It's quite like a romance. Isn't it? Of course, all my objections are
removed."
"And my vow," whispered Isabel; "thank God, we are as free as two wild birds!"