“She looked rather frightened,” said Mrs. Gresley.

“Such a magnificent reception is alarming to a gentle, retiring nature,” said Mr. Gresley.

More cheering! this time much more enthusiastic than the last—­louder, deafening.

Dr. Brown’s dog-cart came slowly in sight, accompanied by a crowd.

“They have taken out the horse and are dragging them up,” said Mrs. Gresley, in astonishment.  “Look at Dr. Brown waving his hat, and Fraeulein bowing in that silly way.  Well, I only hope her head won’t be turned by the arches and everything.  She will find my note directly she gets in.  Really, James! two brides and bridegrooms in one day!  It is like the end of a novel.”

POSTSCRIPT

We turn the pages of the Book of Life with impatient hands.  And if we shut up the book at a sad page we say, hastily, “Life is sad.”  But it is not so.  There are other pages waiting to be turned.  I, who have copied out one little chapter of the lives of Rachel and Hester, cannot see plainly, but I catch glimpses of those other pages.  I seem to see Rachel with children round her, and Dick not far off, and the old light rekindled in Hester’s eyes.  For Hope and Love and Enthusiasm never die.  We think in youth that we bury them in the graveyards of our hearts, but the grass never yet grew over them.  How, then, can life be sad, when they walk beside us always in the growing light towards the Perfect Day.