“No, I know you would not, my darling, for I have not a more obedient, bidable child than you. But I must not keep you longer from your needed night’s rest.”
Then laying his right hand gently upon her head, he gave her the fatherly blessing Lucilla loved so well: “The Lord bless thee and keep thee; the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace.”
“Dear papa, thank you,” she said with emotion, glad tears in her eyes. “I do love that blessing, and I hope you will have it as well as I.”
“I hope so, daughter,” he said; “nothing could be better for either of us. And I am exceedingly glad that he who has won your young heart is a Christian man.”
CHAPTER XXI
Max and Evelyn were in their own Sunnyside home, leaning over their sleeping babe, their faces shining with love and joy.
“The darling!” exclaimed Max, speaking low and tenderly. “She seems to me the dearest, loveliest child that ever was made.”
“To me, too,” returned Eva with a low and sweet laugh, “though I know that is because she is yours and mine; and there must have been very many others quite as beautiful and sweet.”