"God, I thank Thee," she murmured, "that there is joy in heaven to-day over the lamb that has come into the fold."
She whispered it to Brother Willie that day at a far corner of the parlor when they happened to be alone for a moment together.
He glanced across at the slender, stately figure standing at the window between the falling lace curtains, looking wistfully out.
"It is natural," he said. "A nature so pure, so strong, so devotional as hers must needs have more than the world can give to satisfy its immortal cravings. Poor girl! she is passing through the fire of affliction. Let us thank God that she is coming out pure gold."
After awhile, when Lulu had slipped from the room, leaving them alone together, he crossed over to her side, and began telling her of his experiences and adventures abroad. She listened, pleased and interested, soothed by his kind, almost brotherly tone.
"You do not ask me after Winans," said he, playfully, at last.
She did not answer, save by a heightened flush.
"You did not know that through his reckless bravery, his gentleness and humanity to his men, he has risen to the rank of general in the army of France?" A soldierly flash in the clear gray eyes.
"Yes," she answered in a low voice; "I have seen it in the newspapers."
"You have? Then you have seen also that he——"