"She does indeed love me," he said proudly and humbly; while he resisted Amy's efforts to free herself from his grasp, "Your words, dear lady, were severe but well timed. I deserved them and can thank you for them now; while all my life long I will strive to make amends for what my wife has suffered."
Amy looked up, her bright face flushing with smiles, but her husband covered her mouth laughingly with his hand as she attempted to speak; possibly he thought she would, like a true woman, strive to hide his fault by exposing her own. But she struggled to free herself and said,
"I am more happy than I deserve to be, dear Mrs. Elrington, my one sin so bitterly repented of having taught me the value of my husband's love, and how dear, how very dear, he is to me."
"Heed her not! heed her not!" cried Robert.
"God bless you both, my children," said Mrs. Elrington fervently.
CHAPTER XVII.
SUNSHINE.
"Here may ye see, that women be In love meke, kynd and stable: Let never man reprove them then, Or call them variable." The Nut Brown Maid.
Then only doth the soul of woman know Its proper strength when love and duty meet; Invincible the heart wherein they have their seat. Southey.