But the worst was over. The ice was broken and the stream ran clear. How long it would run good angels only could tell. But they sang, and kept on singing, all that day, in Christian's heart, the song of peace—"peace on earth"—for the battle was over and the foes were reconciled.
Chapter 15.
_"It may be under palace roof,
Princely and wide;
No pomp foregone, no pleasure lost,
No wish denied;
But if beneath the diamonds' flash
Sweet, kind eyes hide,
A pleasant place, a happy place,
Is our fireside.
"It may be 'twixt four lowly walls,
No show, no pride;
Where sorrows oftimes enter in,
But never abide.
Yet, if she sits beside the hearth,
Help, comfort, guide,
A blessed place, a heavenly place,
Is our fireside."
The very instant Miss Gascoigne was gone, Christian, throwing herself on her husband's neck, clasping him, clinging to him, ready almost to fling herself at his knees in her passion of humility and love, told him without reserve, without one pang of hesitation or shame—perhaps, indeed, there was little or nothing to be ashamed of—every thing concerning herself and Edwin Uniacke.
He listened, not making any answer, but only holding her fast in his arms, till at length she took courage to look up in his face.
"What! you are not angry or grieved? Nay, I could fancy you were almost smiling."
"Yes, my child! Because, to tell you the plain truth, I knew all this before."
"Knew it before!" cried Christian, in the utmost astonishment.
"I really did. Nobody told me. I found it out—found it out even before
I knew you. It was the strangest thing, and yet quite natural."