It is the secret sympathy,
The silver link, the silken tie,
Which heart to heart, and mind to mind,
In body and in soul can bind.”
On the third day after the rescue of Rebecca she had recovered her wonted health and strength. Benoni, visiting her on the previous afternoon, fondly hoped that she might return with him, but upon the cordial invitation of her benefactors, consented that she should remain a little longer. Her interest in the New Faith grew apace, and her love and respect for its two young exponents were unbounded. The rapidity of her restoration appeared miraculous to all who understood not the signs which outwardly witnessed the new spiritual Power. The nurses which Marcius provided were not needed, and the physician made but the visit of the first day.
Since the day when he snatched her from the jaws of death, Marcius had not seen Rebecca, but manifested [pg 382]his interest by frequent inquiries concerning her welfare. Some part of each day he sought the company of Serenus, and his interest in their conversation, and regard for what he called the new Spiritual Philosophy, steadily increased. On the third evening, learning of Rebecca’s virtual recovery, he expressed the earnest wish that she, with Serenus and Amabel, should sup with him upon the evening following. It would be a quiet but fitting celebration of her notable recovery.
Upon being informed by Serenus of the proffered honor, she would have pleaded some excuse, but feeling a great obligation to her kind host, and also that it would please her guardian angels of the New Faith, she accepted the invitation. Through the kindness of Serenus she was supplied from her home with everything that was fitting for her appearance at the festivity, so that with the delicate discrimination and assistance of Amabel she lacked nothing.
The evening came, and Rebecca’s fair face, though slightly paler than usual, was charming to behold. With features of rare symmetry, and complexion of a delicate brunette, her skin was of such transparency that the ruddiness beneath it clearly shone through. Her head, classic in shape and slightly below the average size, was set upon a neck and shoulders well turned, and graceful in pose and shapeliness. Her jet black hair was lightly gathered up under a cap of silken gauze with a dainty embroidery of golden threads, and a network of delicate chains adorned with small precious stones encircled her neck. She wore simple but rich flowing robes, in harmony with her faultless form, com[pg 383]pelling attention not to detail, but to general completeness and proportion.
Who can estimate the refining and elevating influence of true and ideal beauty? No symmetrical soul can fail to be thrilled by its quality, and the admiration bestowed upon it is repaid by a reflection of its transforming potency. Everything, whether beautiful or otherwise, is ever busy in the subtle moulding of living and impressible forms around it into its own image. The lesson of Pygmalion and his fair creation symbolizes the poetic and artistic truth of a vital and universal principle.
But the outward form and costume of Rebecca were the unimportant elements of her charming presence. The purity and artlessness of soul shining through the visible personality formed the real attractiveness of the daughter of Benoni. The costume, and even the beautiful form, were simple accessories, like the external setting of a gem.