“Live for your mother and your brothers, Bella; they need you sorely, and in time I know you will find true consolation in it, although you must relinquish much.  Sustain your mother, cheer Augustine, watch over Harry, and be to them what Helen longed to be.”

“And fail to do it, as she failed!” cried Bella, with a shudder.

“Listen, and let me give you this hope, for I sincerely do believe it.  Since I came here, I have read many books, thought much, and talked often with Dr. Shirley about this sad affliction.  He thinks you and Harry may escape it, if you will.  You are like your mother in temperament and temper; you have self-control, strong wills, good nerves, and cheerful spirits.  Poor Harry is willfully spoiling all his chances now; but you may save him, and, in the endeavor, save yourself.”

“Oh, Christie, may I hope it?  Give me one chance of escape, and I will suffer any hardship to keep it.  Let me see any thing before me but a life and death like Helen’s, and I’ll bless you for ever!” cried Bella, welcoming this ray of light as a prisoner welcomes sunshine in his cell.

Christie trembled at the power of her words, yet, honestly believing them, she let them uplift this disconsolate soul, trusting that they might be in time fulfilled through God’s mercy and the saving grace of sincere endeavor.

Holding fast to this frail spar, Bella bravely took up arms against her sea of troubles, and rode out the storm.  When her lover came to know his fate, she hid her heart, and answered “no,” finding a bitter satisfaction in the end, for Harry was right, and, when the fortune was denied him, young Butler did not mourn the woman long.  Pride helped Bella to bear it; but it needed all her courage to look down the coming years so bare of all that makes life sweet to youthful souls, so desolate and dark, with duty alone to cheer the thorny way, and the haunting shadow of her race lurking in the background.

Submission and self-sacrifice are stern, sad angels, but in time one learns to know and love them, for when they have chastened, they uplift and bless.  Dimly discerning this, poor Bella put her hands in theirs, saying, “Lead me, teach me; I will follow and obey you.”

All soon felt that they could not stay in a house so full of heavy memories, and decided to return to their old home.  They begged Christie to go with them, using every argument and entreaty their affection could suggest.  But Christie needed rest, longed for freedom, and felt that in spite of their regard it would be very hard for her to live among them any longer.  Her healthy nature needed brighter influences, stronger comrades, and the memory of Helen weighed so heavily upon her heart that she was eager to forget it for a time in other scenes and other work.

So they parted, very sadly, very tenderly, and laden with good gifts Christie went on her way weary, but well satisfied, for she had earned her rest.