Strona 440 z 896

"And she showed me her children," said the Doctor of Beauvais,

"and they had heard of me, and had been taught to pity me. When

they passed a prison of the State, they kept far from its

frowning walls, and looked up at its bars, and spoke in whispers.

She could never deliver me; I imagined that she always brought me

back after showing me such things. But then, blessed with the

relief of tears, I fell upon my knees, and blessed her."

"I am that child, I hope, my father. O my dear, my dear, will you

bless me as fervently to-morrow?"

"Lucie, I recall these old troubles in the reason that I have

to-night for loving you better than words can tell, and thanking

God for my great happiness. My thoughts, when they were wildest,

never rose near the happiness that I have known with you, and

that we have before us."

He embraced her, solemnly commended her to Heaven, and humbly

thanked Heaven for having bestowed her on him. By-and-bye, they

went into the house.