"God bless and reward you!" he said, and drew me toward him
quickly and kissed my forehead. I was quite overcome, and sank
down and hid my face on the table. When I looked up again he was
gone.
* * * * * * *
June 25th, 1841. I write these lines on my wedding morning, when
little more than a year has passed since Robert returned to
England.
His salary was increased yesterday to one hundred and fifty
pounds a year. If I only knew where Mr. Mallinson was, I would
write and tell him of our present happiness. But for the
situation which his kindness procured for Robert, we might still
have been waiting vainly for the day that has now come.
I am to work at home for the future, and Sally is to help us in
our new abode. If Mary could have lived to see this day! I am not
ungrateful for my blessings; but oh, how I miss that sweet face
on this morning of all others!
I got up to-day early enough to go alone to the grave, and to
gather the nosegay that now lies before me from the flowers that
grow round it. I shall put it in my bosom when Robert comes to
fetch me to the church. Mary would have been my bridesmaid if she
had lived; and I can't forget Mary, even on my wedding-day. . . .
THE NIGHT.
THE last words of the last story fell low and trembling from
Owen's lips.
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