d not the accident win for us a
parting that was much better to remember than that state of things? Oh,
the pining, weary feel as if all the world had closed on me! I do assure
you it was much worse than anything that came after the burn. Yes, if
I had been well and doing like others, I know I should have fretted and
wearied, pined myself ill perhaps, whereas I could always tell myself
that every year of your absence might be a step towards your finding me
well; and when I was forced to give up that hope for myself, why then,
Colin, the never seeing your name made me think you would never be
disappointed and grieved as you are now. It is very merciful the way
that physical trials help one through those of the mind."

"I never knew," said the Colonel; "all my aunt's latter letters spoke of
your slow improvement beyond hope."

"True, in her time, I had not reached the point where I stopped. The
last time I saw her I was still upstairs; and, indeed, I did not half
know what I could do till I tried."

"Yes," said he, brightened by that buoyant look so remarkable in her
face; "and you will yet do more, Ermine. You have convinced me that we
shall be all the happier together--"

"But that was not what I meant to convince you of--" she said, faintly.

"Not what you meant, perhaps; but what it did convince me was, that
you--as you are, my Ermine--are ten thousand times more to me than even
as the beautiful girl, and that there never can be a happier pair than
we shall be when I am your hands and feet."

Ermine sat up, and rallied all her forces, choked back the swelling
of her throat, and said, "Dear Colin, it cannot be! I trusted you were
understanding that when I told you how it was with me."

He could not speak from consternation.

"No," she said; "it would be wrong in me to think of it for an instant.
That you should have done so, shows--O Colin, I cannot talk of it; but
it would be as ungenerous in me to consent, as it is noble of you to
propose it."

"It is no such thing," he answered; "it has been the one object and
thought of my life, the only hope I have had all these years."

"Exactly so," she said, struggling again to speak firmly; "and that is
the very thing. You kept your allegiance to the bright, tall, walking,
active girl, and it would be a shame in the scorched cripple to claim
it."

"Don't call yourself names. Have I not told you that you are more than
the same?"

"You do not know. You are pleased