By and by he said, heartily,--

"Well, if you are pleased, I am. God bless them."

"God bless all the bairns," said his wife, softly. "Oh, man! when I
think of all that has come and gone, I am ready to say that `the Lord
has given me the desire of my heart.' I sought His guidance about
coming with them. I had a sore swither ere I could think of leaving my
mother and Sandy for their sakes, but He guided me and strengthened me,
though whiles I used to doubt afterwards, with my sore heart wearying
for my own land, and my own kin."

Mr Snow nodded gravely, but did not speak, and in a little she went on
again:

"I sought guidance, too, when I left them, and now, looking back, I
think I see that I got it; but, for a while, when death came, and they
went from me, it seemed as though the Lord had removed the desire of my
eyes with a stroke, because of my self-seeking and unfaithfulness. Oh,
man! yon was a rough bit of road for my stumbling, weary feet. But He
didna let me fall altogether--praise be to His name!"

Her voice shook, and there was a moment's silence, and then she added,--

"But, as for grieving, because Miss Graeme is going farther away, than
is perhaps pleasant to think about, when she is going of her own free
will, and with a good hope of a measure of happiness, that would be
unreasonable indeed."

"Now, if she were to hold up her hands, and say, `Now, lettest thou thy
servant depart in peace,' it would seem about the right thing to do,"
said Mr Snow, to himself, with a sigh. "When it comes to giving the
bairns up, willing never to see them again, it looks a little as if she
was done with most things, and ready to go--and I ain't no ways ready to
have her, I'm afraid."

The next words gave him a little start of surprise and relief.

"And we'll need to bethink ourselves, what bonny thing we can give her,
to keep her in mind of us when she will be far-away."

"Sartain!" said Mr Snow, eagerly.

"Not that I think she'll be likely to forget us," added his wife, with a
catch in her breath. "She's no of that nature. I shouldna wonder if
she might have some homesick thoughts, then, even in the midst of her
happiness, for she has a tender heart! But, if they love one another,
there is little doubt but it will be well with them, seeing they have
the fear of God before their eyes. And, she may come back and end her
days on this side of the sea, yet, who knows?"

"I shouldn't wonder a mite," said Mr