"Yes, we will renew the old habits, for I suppose that business

there will be less pressing, less exacting, than I have found it

here. We will take our long walks, Julia, and make up for lost time

in new sketches. You have thought me a truant, Julia--neglectful

hitherto! Have you not?"

"Ah, Edward!"--Her eyes filled with tears, but a smile, like rainbow,

made them bright.

"Say, did you not?"

"Do not be angry with me if I confess I thought you very much

altered in some respects. I was fearful I had vexed you."

"You shall have no more reason to fear. We shall be the babes

in the wood together. I am sure we shall be quite happy, left to

ourselves. No doubts, no fears--nothing but love. And you are really

willing to go?"

"Willing! I wish it! I can get ready in a day."

"You have but a week. But, have you no reluctance? Is there nothing

that you regret to leave? Speak freely, Julia. Your mother, your

friends--would you not prefer to remain with them?"

She placed her hands on my shoulders, laid her head close to my bosom

and murmured--how softly, how sweetly--in the touching language of

the Scripture damsel.

"Entreat me not to leave thee, or to refrain from following after

thee; for whither thou goest, I will go, and where thou lodgest,

I will lodge. Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God!"

I folded her with tremulous but deep joy in my embrace; and in that

sweet moment of peace, I wondered that I ever should have questioned

the faith of such a woman.




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