Ellen felt her place surely would be empty, but she could not say so.
"It was for this I was so glad of your aunt's marriage, Ellie," Alice soon went on. "I foresaw she might raise some difficulties in my way hard to remove, perhaps; but now I have seen Mr. Van Brunt, and he has promised me that nothing shall hinder your taking up your abode, and making your home entirely here. Though I believe, Ellie, he would truly have loved to have you in his own house."
"I am sure he would," said Ellen "but oh, how much rather!"
"He behaved very well about it the other morning in a very manly, frank, kind way showed a good deal of feeling, I think, too. He gave me to understand that for his own sake he should be extremely sorry to let you go; but he assured me that nothing over which he had any control should stand in the way of your good."
"He is very kind he is very good he is always so," said Ellen. "I love Mr. Van Brunt very much. He always was as kind to me as he could be."
They were silent for a few minutes, and Alice was looking out of the window again. The sun had set, and the colouring of all without was graver. Yet it was but the change from one beauty to another. The sweet air seemed still sweeter than before the sun went down.
"You must be happy, dear Ellie, in knowing that I am. I am happy now. I enjoy all this, and I love you all but I can leave it and can leave you yes, both for I would see Jesus! He who has taught me to love him, will not forsake me now. Goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. I thank him! Oh, I thank him!"
Alice's face did not belie her words, though her eyes shone through tears.
"Ellie, dear you must love Him with all your heart, and live constantly in his presence. I know if you do, he will make you happy, in any event. He can always give more than he takes away. Oh, how good he is! and what wretched returns we make him! I was miserable when John first went away to Doncaster; I did not know how to bear it. But now, Ellie, I think I can see it has done me good, and I can even be thankful for it. All things are ours all things the world, and life, and death too."
"Alice," said Ellen, as well as she could "you know what you were saying to me the other day?"