The Squire grumbled audibly, Mrs. Hazelwood was perplexed, Mrs. Falconer silent, and Miss Evelyn appeared in her most "don't care" mood. So nobody could exactly understand it, and Guy went away. He was making a mistake, and one that made him too uncomfortable to remain, but it was a mistake made by many before him, and he was not equal to working his way out of it.
* * * * * *
Then a dark shadow came slowly creeping over the old Moat House again. The shock sustained by its gentle mistress when her only child was laid apparently lifeless before her, had developed incipient disease, which was pursuing its fatal course throughout her system. And though the moment alarm was taken, every remedy which skill could suggest was tried in turn, she was far on her way to the better land before the Squire and his daughter could fully apprehend the fact, or endure to listen to the possibility.
For herself, she had neither fear nor disinclination, because she knew Him who had trodden the valley before her, removing the causes of terror and leaving the light of His conquering track for the timidest footsteps to follow; and because she believed that though "to live was Christ" yet "to die was gain," and that sweet and happy as her earthly lot had been, "to depart and be with Christ was far better." Long, long ago she had accepted the blood-bought gift of pardon and peace through the crucified Redeemer, and having given herself to Him in loving faith and conforming will, she was ready to obey His call when He bade His dear child and faithful servant come up higher.
But not so the loving husband, Christian though he also was. His faith had not thus been tried before, and his strongly demonstrative nature writhed in agonies of grief over the impending separation.
Oh how proud he had been of her! How readily he had deferred to her calm judgment, her unobtrusive wisdom! How he had expected that she would go with him, hand in hand, to the heavenly home! He battled with his trouble; he groaned in unutterable distress, and murmured at the Divine decree. But who has not passed through some similar experience by the couch of a treasure passing away?
No one but Mrs. Hazelwood herself ventured to speak of it to him unbidden, but as the sorrowful news spread abroad, there was tender and respectful sympathy wherever he turned, and he knew that the whole neighbourhood mourned with him.
Sometimes he would rush away, unable to bear the sight of the daily fading of his precious flower, and then in bitter self-reproach grudge every moment spent away from her side.
"It is so mysterious," he said: "we have been so happy; you are so necessary to us all. It is very hard."
"Nay, dearest Roger, take up the plain understanding side. 'Whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth,' and we have had very little chastening, and need to learn that phase of His love. It is a sweet remembrance that we have been so happy together. You have made a pleasant home for me on earth, I know, but the gracious Lord Jesus has prepared a happier one for us both in heaven. I have always been here to receive you after your journeyings, and I shall be there to welcome you when the journey of life is done,—and it is but a little while."