He knew now that it was for his own sake that
faithful and devoted wife had pleaded, his own interest that had been
near to her pitying heart, as well as the interest of bakers and
butchers, landladies and tailors.
"She might have made a good man of me, if I had let her have her way," he
thought to himself. "I know that she is in heaven. Will she plead for me,
I wonder, at the foot of the Great Throne? I used to laugh at her bad
English, or fly in a passion with her sometimes, poor soul, when I wanted
her to pass for a lady, and she broke down outrageously. But there her
voice will be heard when mine appeals in vain. Dear soul! I wonder who
taught her to be so pure and unselfish, and trusting and faithful? She
was a Christian without knowing it. 'I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of
heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and
prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.'"
He thought of his wife's lonely deathbed, and compared it with his own.
For him there was luxury; by him watched a devoted and all-forgiving
daughter, a generous friend and son-in-law. All that could be done to
soothe the painful descent was done for him. For her there had been
nothing but loneliness and sorrow.
"But she might be certain of a speedy welcome in a better home," thought
Horatio; "and I--? Ah, dear kind creature, _there_ the difference was all
in her favour.
Pages:
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548