Scott leaned over and pressed his lips to her forehead; then, ere the door closed after him, he stopped and, gazing steadily at her face, he said: “Blanche, I shall leave you now, but I shall expect you to send me word to come again soon; otherwise I shall come without an invitation.”
“Good bye,” she said, without even raising her eyes, “I will send for you soon,” and the next moment she was left alone.
“How much less brave I am than I thought I should be if this ever came. Oh, to think that I have struggled all my life to do right, to be free from sin and disgrace, have stepped over the roughest paths and had my feet pierced with the sharpest thorns; and now when the doors of heaven are opened to me and the glory of its sunlight is bursting upon me, the cloud that never can be lifted falls before me, shutting out that light that would make my earthly paradise. I shall try to be as brave as he will be when he knows the truth. Oh, I wonder if I can, or will the skeleton still be my constant companion? No, no, it shall not; I will put it away from me, and, going out in the world, leave it behind me; and if God wills it so, I will live only for the work that lies before me, and there is enough of that to keep my hands and head busy. But, oh, how hard it is to know that one cruel misfortune in life can wreck every hope and turn every bright dream of life to a dark and hopeless reality! But I will let him see how bravely I shall bear the cross that never can be lifted from my shoulders.”
CHAPTER XXXVII.
GENERAL EXPLANATION.
Miss Elsworth had been to Roxbury and informed Mrs. Morris that she had decided to return to the city.
“I don’t see how I can go,” said Mrs. Morris.
“Why not?” Miss Elsworth asked.