The words of the song caused her unrest to burn within her.
"The land of Beulah--blessed land of light," Pauline could sing of this; while she--why had she failed? Had she not worked and watched and prayed--yet the blackness of darkness was about her.
"I am dwelling on the mountains
Where the golden sunlight gleams,
O'er a land whose wondrous beauty
Far exceeds my fondest dreams."
The low, sweet strain continued. Pauline often sang at her work, and the song bubbled forth as though the full heart could not contain it.
"I am drinking at the fountain
Where I ever would abide,
For I've tasted life's pure river
And my soul is satisfied."
Mrs. Thorpe dropped her work and clasped her hands over her mouth, for she felt that she must shriek aloud.
"Satisfied! My soul is satisfied! Was it possible that this was vouchsafed to some, while every hope of hers was gone, every longing unfulfilled?"
When she took up her work again she placed stitch after stitch with careful deliberation.
"I must adhere to my resolutions," she thought. "I have no quarrel with the world. I am not responsible for its woes. I cannot fight its wrongs. I will live simply and contentedly, live for my husband and my home." But she refrained from looking over her shoulder, for the black wings of her phantom hovered there.
A few moments later Pauline came into the room. "Mrs. Mayhew is in the parlor and wishes to see you," she said.