afterward,
and he comforted me a little. He said that though Hugh loved
her with the whole strength of his nature, that he could never
really have satisfied a woman like Margaret--that in time she
must have found out that he was no true mate for her. 'A woman
should never be superior to her husband,' he said. 'Margaret's
grand intellect and powers of influence would have been wasted
if she had become Hugh Redmond's wife. Oh, yes, he would have
been good to her--probably he would have worshiped her; but
one side of her nature would have been a mystery to him. You
must not grieve for her, my child, for she has ceased to
grieve for herself; the Divine Providence has withheld from
her a woman's natural joys of wifehood and maternity, but a
noble work is to be given to her; our Margaret, please God,
will be a mother in Israel.' And, indeed, I feel Raby is
right, and that Margaret is one of God's dear saints."

It was on a golden September day that Crystal became Raby Ferrers's
wife; the company that had grouped themselves in the long drawing-room
of the boarding-house owned that they had never seen a grander bride.

The creamy Indian silk fell in graceful folds on the tall supple
figure; the beautiful head, with its coils of dark glossy hair, was
bent in girlish timidity. Margaret had clasped round her white throat
the pearl necklace and diamond cross that had belonged to her mother,
and which she was to have worn at her own bridal. "I shall not need
it; it is for Raby's wife," she said, as Crystal protested with tears
in her eyes; "it must be your only ornament. Oh, if Raby could only
see how lovely you look."

But the calm tranquil content on the sightless face silenced even this
wish. Crystal ceased to tremble when the deep vibrating voice, vowing
to love and cherish her to her life's end, sounded in her ears; but
Raby felt the coldness of the hand he held.

When they had received the congratulations of their friends, and
Margaret had tenderly embraced her new sister, and they were left
alone for a little, Raby drew his young bride closer to him.

"You are not afraid now, my darling?"

"No," she answered, unsteadily; "but it is all so like a dream. A
fortnight ago--only a fortnight--I was the most desolate creature in
God's earth; and now--"

"And now," echoing her words with a kiss, "you are my wife. Ah, do you
remember your childish speech--it used to