"Courage, Mattie," he said, "we shall not give way now. We have fought well, and the worst is over."
"Yes, the very worst!"
"You will not envy them their happiness—two weak addlepated mortals, only fitted for each other. You will keep strong!"
"For ever after to-day. But you must not be too critical with me now that he is gone, and I have no longer any occasion to keep firm. Oh! father, I loved him very, very much!"
"It is hard to lose him, I know that," said he, as Mattie flung herself into his arms, and wept there.
"Harder to think that he never loved me after all!"
"Courage!" he repeated, "God knows what is best for you. He will bring you peace, I am sure!"
And in good time, when Mattie was young still, the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, rested on her, and rendered her content.