"'The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want.
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green: He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.'
"And now and then, just for a line, I heard her weak voice joining in. I sang to the end, and she sang the last lines:
"'And in God's house for evermore
My dwelling-place shall be.'
"When I had done, I thought the place felt so still, as if the angels were there. Surely they were so! for in a few minutes after I made an end of singing, she arose and went to the Father.
"I have been alone with God since that night Roswith died. I shall go some day, but it seems afar off now. Perchance it may be nearer than I deem. The Lord knoweth the time, and He will not forget me."
There was a long silence when Patient's voice ceased. Celia spoke first.
"Patient, you said once that you would tell me how my father met with my step-mother. But I want to know also why no one ever sought me out until now."
"There was no chance, Madam, so long as you were a child. The troubles in England were too great to allow of Sir Edward returning himself. I believe he charged my Lady on his deathbed to seek you out, and wherefore she tarried I know not. I had a mind once to go myself, and I named it to her, but was called a fool for my pains, and bidden to sit quiet and sew. But I was glad to see you."
"Thank you, dear Patient," said Celia, affectionately. "And now tell me about the other."
"Do you know, Madam, that my Lady was a widow when she wedded Sir Edward?"