The Rector of St. Marks

Thornton could hardly say that he was skeptical before, but any doubts

he might have had touching the great fundamental truths on which a

true religion rests were gone forever, and he left Hanover a changed

man in more respects than one.

Arthur did not die, and on the Sunday preceding the week when the

usual Christmas decorations were to commence he came again before his

people, his face very pale and worn, and wearing upon it a look which

told of a new baptism, an added amount of faith which had helped to

lift him above the fleeting cares of this present life. And yet there

was much of earth clinging to him still, and it made itself felt in

the rapid beating of his heart when he glanced towards the square pew

where Lucy knelt and knew that she was giving thanks for him restored

again.

Once, in the earlier stages of his convalescence, he had almost

betrayed his secret by asking her which she would rather do--bury him

from her sight, feeling that he loved her to the last, or give him to

another, now that she knew he would recover. There was a frightened

look in Lucy's eyes as she replied: "I would ten thousand times rather

see you dead, and know that, even in death, you were my own, than to

lose you that other way. Oh, Arthur, you have no thought of leaving me

now?"

"No, darling, I have not, I am yours always," he said, feeling that

the compact was sealed forever and that God blessed the sealing.

He had written to Mrs. Meredith, granting her his forgiveness and

asking that, if Anna did not already know of the deception, she might

never be enlightened. And Mrs. Meredith had answered that Anna had

only heard a rumor that an offer had been made her, but that she

regarded it as a mistake, and was fast recovering both her health and

spirits. Mrs. Meredith did not add her surprise at Arthur's generosity

in adhering to his engagement, nor hint that, now her attack of

conscience was so safely over, she was glad he did so, having hope yet

of that house on Madison Square; but Arthur guessed at it and

dismissed her from his mind just as he tried to dismiss every

unpleasant thought, waiting with a trusting heart for whatever the

future might bring.