There was such a sparkling beauty on everything outside, under the clear evening sun, that its brilliancy half rebuked her.  The very shadows seemed bright, so bright were the lines of light between them, where the tall pointed cedars were casting their mantle on the grass.  Elizabeth stood by the open window, wondering.  She looked back to the time when she had been there before, when she was as bright, though not as pure, as all things else; and now —­ father and friend were away from her, and she was alone.  Yet still the sun shone —­ might it not again some time for her?  Poor child, as she stood there the tears dropped fast, at that meeting of hope and sorrow; hope as intangible as the light, sorrow a thicker mantle than that of the cedar trees.  And now the sunlight seemed to say ‘Ask’ —­ and the green glittering earth responded —­ “and ye shall receive.”  Elizabeth looked; —­ she heard them say it constantly.  She did not question the one word or the other.  It seemed very sweet to her, the thought of doing her duty; and yet, —­ the tears which had stayed, ran fast again when she thought of Mrs. Nettley’s going away and how utterly alone she should be.

She had sat down and was resting her arm on the window-sill; and Miss Haye’s face was in a state of humbled and saddened gravity which no one ever saw it in before these days.  As she sat there, Karen’s voice reached her from the back of the house somewhere; and it suddenly occurred to Elizabeth that it might be as well for her to acquaint herself somewhat better with one of her few remaining inmates, since their number was to be so lessened.  She dried her eyes, and went out with quick step through the kitchen till she neared the door of the little back porch where Karen was at work.  There she paused.

The old woman was singing one of her Methodist songs, in a voice that had once very likely been sweet and strong.  It was trembling and cracked now.  Yet none of the fire and spirit of old was wanting; as was shewn, not indeed by the power of the notes, but by the loving flow or cadence the singer gave them.  Elizabeth lingered just within the door to listen.  The melody was as wild and sweet as suited the words.  The first of the song she had lost; it went on —­

“Till Jesus shall come,
“Protect and defend me until I’m called home;
“Though worms my poor body may claim as their prey,
“’Twill outshine, when rising, the sun at noon-day.

“The sun shall be darkened, the moon turned to blood,
“The mountains all melt at the presence of God;
“Red lightnings may flash, and loud thunders may roar,
“All this cannot daunt me on Canaan’s blest shore.

“A glimpse of bright glory surprises my soul,
“I sink in sweet visions to view the bright goal;
“My soul, while I’m singing, is leaping to go,
“This moment for heaven I’d leave all below.

“Farewell, my dear brethren —­ my Lord bids me come;
“Farewell, my dear sisters —­I’m now going home;
“Bright angels are whispering so sweet in my ear, —­
“Away to my Saviour my spirit they’ll bear.