Guly pressed her to his heart and they plighted troth. This was but boy and girl love, but it was a love which decayed not, neither did it fade, but flourished and grew, even with the hand of sorrow and trial crushing out its young life.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
| "Will fortune never come with both hands full, But write her fair words still in fairest letters? She either gives a stomach and no food— Such are the poor in wealth; or else a feast, And takes away the stomach—such are the rich, That have abundance, and enjoy it not." Shakspeare. |
Della sat rocking by the fire, looking pale and ill, and Bernard was fondly hanging over her chair. Minny sat a little way apart, holding upon her lap the first-born babe—a boy—"the darling of their een."
Never was a happier father, never a prouder and more delighted mother.
"Bernard," said Della, looking up in her husband's face, "I have a plan to propose."
"What is it, dearest?"
"Will you grant it?"