"Dear old clock," said Garth, softly."I used to hear it strike nine, when I was a little chap in my crib, trying to keep awake until my mother rustled past; and went into her room.The door between her room and mine used to stand ajar, and I could see her candle appear in a long streak upon my ceiling.When I saw that streak, I fell asleep immediately.It was such a comfort to know she was there; and would not go down again.Jane, do you like the Oriel chamber?""Yes, dear.It is a lovely room; and very sacred because it was hers.Do you know, Aunt Georgina insisted upon seeing it, Garth; and said it ought to be whitened and papered.But I would not hear of that; because the beautiful old ceiling is hand-painted, and so are the walls; and I was certain you had loved those paintings, as a little boy; and would remember them now.""Ah, yes," said Garth, eagerly."A French artist stayed here, and did them.Water and rushes, and the most lovely flamingoes; those on the walls standing with their feet in the water; and those on the ceiling, flying with wings outspread, into a pale green sky, all over white billowy clouds.Jane, I believe I could walk round that room, blindfold--no! I mean, as I am now; and point out the exact spot where each flamingo stands.""You shall," said Jane, tenderly.These slips when he talked, momentarily forgetting his blindness, always wrung her heart."By degrees you must tell me all the things you specially did and loved, as a little boy.I like to know them.Had you always that room, next door to your mother's?""Ever since I can remember," said Garth."And the door between was always open.After my mother's death, I kept it locked.But the night before my birthday, I used to open it; and when I woke early and saw it ajar, I would spring up, and go quickly in; and it seemed as if her dear presence was there to greet me, just on that one morning.But I had to go quickly, and immediately I wakened; just as you must go out early to catch the rosy glow of sunrise on the fleeting clouds; or to see the gossamer webs on the gorse, outlined in diamonds, by the sparkling summer dew.But, somehow, Margery found out about it; and the third year there was a sheet of writing-paper firmly stuck to the pincushion by a large black-headed pin, saying, in Margery's careful caligraphy: 'Many happy returns of the day, Master Garthie.' It was very touching, because it was meant to be so comforting and tactful.But it destroyed the illusion! Since then the door has been kept closed."Another long sweet silence.Two nightingales, in distant trees, sang alternately; answering one another in liquid streams of melody.
Again Garth turned the wedding ring; then spoke, with his lips against it.
"You said Margery had 'gone through.' Is it open to-night?" he asked.
Jane clasped both hands behind his head--strong, capable hands, though now they trembled a little--and pressed his face against her, as she had done on the terrace at Shenstone, three years before.
"Yes, my own boy," she said; "it is."
"Jane! Oh, Jane--" He released himself from the pressure of those restraining hands, and lifted his adoring face to hers.
Then, suddenly, Jane broke down."Ah, darling," she said, "take me away from this horrible white moonlight! I cannot bear it.It reminds me of Shenstone.It reminds me of the wrong I did you.It seems a separating thing between you and me--this cruel brightness which you cannot share."Her tears fell on his upturned fate.
Then Garth sprang to his feet.The sense of manhood and mastery; the right of control, the joy of possession, arose within him.Even in his blindness, he was the stronger.Even in his helplessness, for the great essentials, Jane must lean on him.He raised her gently, put his arms about her, and stood there, glorified by his great love.
"Hush, sweetest wife," he said."Neither light nor darkness can separate between you and me: This quiet moonlight cannot take you from me; but in the still, sweet darkness you will feel more completely my own, because it will hold nothing we cannot share.
Come with me to the library, and we will send away the lamps, and close the curtains; and you shall sit on the couch near the piano, where you sat, on that wonderful evening when I found you, and when I almost frightened my brave Jane.But she will not be frightened now, because she is so my own; and I may say what I like; and do what I will; and she must not threaten me with Nurse Rosemary;because it is Jane I want--Jane, Jane; just ONLY Jane! Come in, beloved; and I, who see as clearly in the dark as in the light, will sit and play THE ROSARY for you; and then Veni, Creator Spiritus;and I will sing you the verse which has been the secret source of peace, and the sustaining power of my whole inner life, through the long, hard years, apart.""Now," whispered Jane."Now, as we go."
So Garth drew her hand through his arm; and, as they walked, sang softly:
"Enable with perpetual light, The dulness of our blinded sight;Anoint and cheer our soiled face With the abundance of Thy grace.
Keep far our foes; give peace at home;
Where Thou art Guide, no ill can come."
Thus, leaning on her husband; yet guiding him as she leaned; Jane passed to the perfect happiness of her wedded home.
End
