There was far more resignation
than of pleasure in her face, and she had the air of one submitting
to a fate which one could not and ought not to resist.
"Your three lives are much happier then?" she said, gently, as if
wishing to hear the reassuring truth again.
"You do not realize your service to us," said Mr. Musgrave, eagerly.
"Our lives were not happy at all. There seemed nothing before us
but increasing pain. You have not added to a happiness already
existing merely, but have caused us to exchange positive suffering
for happiness. Emily seems to have learned the art of making every
day of our lives a blessing, and she says you taught her how. I
would go around the world to say to you, 'God bless you for it!'"
"Such assurances ought to make one resigned, if not content,"
she murmured in a low tone, as if half speaking to herself. Then
rising, by an evident effort, she cordially gave her hand to Mr.
Musgrave, and said:
"You see, sir, that I am scarcely myself to-night. I think I could
give you a better impression of your daughter's friend to-morrow.
Give her my sincere love and congratulations. She is evidently
bearing her burden better than I mine.
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