with grandmamma and the children. She makes
promises; but as to trusting her not to spoil Helen--'

'She does not spoil her half as much as her papa does,' said Violet,
with a saucy smile. 'I'm not afraid. It is all love, you know, and
grandmamma is very kind to me, even when Helen is in disgrace. If we can
only be steady with her, I am sure another person to love her can do
her no harm in the end. And, oh! think of the children growing up in the
free happy country.'

'Ay, my father and John spoke of that,' said Arthur. 'John wishes it
very much. He says that all he could desire in this world is a share in
our home and in our children's hearts.'

'I don't know how it is that every one is so kind. Oh! it is too much!
it overflows!' Violet leant against her husband, shedding tears of
happiness.

'You silly little thing!' he said, fondling her: 'don't you know why?
You have won all their hearts.'

'I never meant to'--half sobbed Violet.

'No, you only meant to go on in your own sweet, modest way of kindness
and goodness; but you have done it, you see. You have won every one of
them over; and what is more, gained pardon for me, for your sake. No,
don't struggle against my saying so, for it is only the truth. It was
bad enough in me to marry you, innocent, unknowing child as you were;
but you turned it all to good. When I heard that lesson on Sunday, about
the husband and the believing wife, I thought it was meant for you and
me; for if ever now I do come to good, it is owing to no one but you and
that boy.'

'O, Arthur, I cannot bear such sayings. Would you--would you dislike
only just kneeling down with me, that we may give thanks for all this
happiness! Oh! what seemed like thorns and crosses have all turned into
blessings!'

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