She smiled sadly and said, "But, Harry, it has not been always so."
"I know it," he replied. "I spoke of the present. Thank God, he has told us what he has done with all our past repented of sins and failures—cast them behind his back."
And once more saying good-night, he departed, and Priscilla retired to rest.
[CHAPTER XVII.]
BRIDE AND BRIDEGROOM.
"There are souls that seem to dwell
Above this earth, so rich a spell
Floats round their steps, where'er they move,
From hopes fulfilled and mutual love."
FIVE years have passed since the Christmas eve we have written about in our last chapters. Once more summer sunshine was flooding the world, lighting up the dark pines near the Grove and playing among the many-coloured flowers in the garden there. It lighted up, as well, the gloomy cottages in the hamlet near, where Prissy Warner had for long carried on her blessed work of helping many of its dwellers into the kingdom.
A number of women with babies in their arms, and little ones just beginning to walk playing beside them, stood at the doors, enjoying the warmth of the lovely summer day. They were in earnest conversation; and from the remarks that fell now from one, now from another, it was evident that some event of importance to them was to take place that day.
"I be glad Mr. Austin and his bride are getting such a shiny day to come back. And to think that they start so soon again to foreign lands! But it's a grand missionary Mr. Austin'll make, that he will. He's a real Christian, so homely and kind."
"And his bride!" said a woman coming forward. "Have ye no word for her, the pretty young creature? I do say Miss Gabrielle that was is a sweet leddy, and a good; and only to think of her agoing to these heathen places, where she'll meet wi' all kinds of danger. Oh, she's a pretty one!"