"But, when I came back, I felt just as hardly towards her as ever. She did not appear glad to see me at all; and it really seemed that she was more distressed at my coming across the road in my 'coloured calico dress,' as she said, than at any thing else."
"Agnes is bound up in dress and fashions; and more's the pity. But you say you found you had all your work to do over again?"
"Yes."
"Well, then, do it over again; or, rather, be quiet, and let God do it for you. You can no more make yourself forgiving than you can make one hair white or black; but, if you are willing, God will do it for you. Only just believe,—that is all. The inward witness will come in God's own time, if you are content to take his simple word: never in any other way. Now, tell me, cannot you do this?"
Letty was silent.
"Yes," said Letty, with a tone and look of decision. "Yes; I can believe him. I am his. I am not alone or cast-off. Oh, yes; I do believe his word."
"Remember, from this time, that it is only the sense of God's presence that you lose,—not his real presence. God never forsakes his children. Have faith; and do not think of faith in God as some strange, mysterious thing. It is simply believing in God just as you believe in any one else. Take all his promises to yourself, just as if there were no other person in the world to whom they can apply. Don't be too anxious after inward evidence and consolation. Let God send that in his own time. It is a blessed thing when it comes; but it is not the ground of your assurance: that is found in God's word."
[CHAPTER IX.]
CHANGES.
WHEN John came home that night, he saw at once that there was a change in Letty. Her eyes were still heavy and her face pale; but the expression of her face was altered; the hard look of stubborn endurance was gone. Other little signs showed a change in Letty's state of feeling. Her hair was again neatly and becomingly arranged; the blinds of the sitting-room were thrown open once more; and a bouquet of the latest lingering flowers was on the table in Alick's little silver cup,—a gift from Mr. Trescott. The supper-table was again set in inviting order, instead of having the dishes thrown on anyhow, as was Jane's fashion. Moreover, Letty met him at the door,—a thing she had not done before since Alick's death.