ep the boundary her noble presence inspired. Also,
Denasia held him by the mysterious strength of the marriage tie. Apart
from her and relieved of the petty cares which degraded their love, he
forgot her shortcomings and thought more and more frequently of her
affectionate, forgiving heart. The radiance of her youthful beauty was
still in his memory, and the haunting charm of her voice called him at
all kinds of incongruous hours. He awoke at night with the silvery cry
of "Caller Herrin'" in his ears. At the dinner-table he heard her
light musical laugh ring through the decorous, quiet room, and often
when discussing an old Roman coin with Mr. Lanhearne he felt her hand
upon his shoulder, and feared to turn lest her face should confront
him.

Ada's beaming eyes, and soft voice, and mystical rapture of holy
enthusiasm touched him on quite a different side of his nature. She
made him long to be good--he was almost afraid he would become good if
he dwelt too much in her presence. And he did not desire to be so--not
just yet. But as she talked so earnestly to him of righteousness, and
duty and the life to come, it was impossible that he should not in
some way respond. And when his handsome eyes were shadowed with
feeling and his gay face and manner subdued to the gravity of the
subject, it was equally impossible for the young teacher not to be
moved by the evidences of her own eloquent persuasion.

After all, much must be left to the imagination; the situation was so
full of possibilities, so absolutely free of all wrong conditions, so
ready to yield itself to many wrong conditions. Roland's days went by
in a placid sameness, which did not become fretting, because he knew
he should end its pleasant monotony of his own free will in a very few
weeks. And Ada had never before been so happy. Why should she ask
herself the reason? To question fate is not a fortunate thing, at any
rate; she felt a reluctance to begin a catechism with her feelings or
her surroundings.

So the Christmas came and went, and the days lengthened and the cold
strengthened, and there was so much misery among the poor that Ada's
time and money were taxed to their uttermost use and ability. And the
suffering she saw left its shadow on her fair face. She was quieter
because her thoughts were deep in her heart and did not therefore
readily resolve themselves into words. The mystery of the whole
creation suffering together oppressed and solemnized her life