“Bless you for the word!” he said, still gazing fixedly in her face, which calmly met his look.
“Thank God, one misery is spared me,” he muttered to himself; then added, “and you think I may be happy?”
“I trust you will; and if it please God to bless you with prosperity, I think you may.”
“How do you mean?”
“That while all things go smoothly, you will not feel the division, the barrier which your opposing creeds must silently erect between you. But if affliction, if death should happen, Reuben, dearest Reuben, may you never repent this engagement then.”
The young man actually trembled at the startling earnestness of her words.
“And will you, surely you will not, marry in church, brother?” timidly inquired Joseph.
“He must, he cannot help himself!” hoarsely interposed Simeon, who had remained sitting in moody silence for some time; “and yet he would say he is no apostate, no deserter from our faith.”
“You said you had something to ask mother, Reuben,” said Ruth, pressing close to his side, for she feared the painful altercation between her brothers might recommence.
“I had,” he answered, “but I fear it is useless now. Mother, Jeanie and I hoped to have offered you a home—to have entreated you to live with us, and return to the comforts which were yours; we should seek but to give you joy. But after what has passed this evening, I fear we have hoped in vain.”