Guy Hollys' spirit was moved within him, for he was reminded of that day of sorrow many years ago, when he had seen his young love laid to rest in the bosom of the earth. Not many yards from where they stood, rose the marble cross which marked the place where she slept. He led the children to the spot ere they left the churchyard.
Beryl knew it well, for Lucy had thought it right, when she was but a tiny child, to bring her frequently to see her mother's grave. She could have repeated without looking the words inscribed on the marble cross:—
Sacred to the Memory of
MARGARETTA HOLLYS,
the beloved wife of Guy Hollys, Esq.,
of Egloshayle House,
who died June 14, 18—, in the 20th year of her age.
"I believe in the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting."
Often as Beryl had read these last words, she had never before desired to know their meaning; but now, as she glanced at them, there came an eager, almost painful longing to understand what they signified.
"Papa," she startled him by asking, "what is the resurrection; what does it mean?"
The question seemed to embarrass him. His eyes fell beneath his child's open glance; he coloured, and his foot uneasily tapped the gravel.
"I can hardly explain it to you, child," he said. "When you are older you will understand."
"But I want to know now," said Beryl.
Her father made no reply, but turned to lead the way home. Yet he inwardly reproached himself for having thus evaded his child's question. Could it be that Beryl knew nothing of the truths of religion? Surely his sister might have seen that the child learned her Catechism, and had some religious instruction.
Had her mother lived, he was certain that long ere this, Beryl would have known something of the mysteries of life and death, as far as it was possible that they could be explained to a child. He could fancy in what simple, tender language Margaretta would have talked to the child, of the Lord in whom she so surely believed.