e channel, had spread in a beneficent flood, and blessed all
around. So, though, like every sinful son of man, sensible of many an
error, many an infirmity, still the open loving spirit was childlike
enough for that blessed sense; for that feeling which St. John expresses
as 'if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God;'
confidence in the infinite Merits that atone for the errors of weakness,
and occasional wanderings of will; confidence that made the hope a sure
and steadfast one, and these sentenced weeks a land of Beulah, where
Honora's tardy response to his constant love could be greeted and valued
as the precious fulfilment of long-cherished wishes, not dashed aside as
giving bitterness to his departure.

The parting was broken by a promise that Honora should again meet the
Savilles at the Holt in the autumn. She assured herself that there was
no danger before that time, and Humfrey spoke cheerfully of looking
forward to it, and seemed to have so much to do, and to be so well equal
to doing it, that he would not let them be concerned at leaving him
alone.

To worship Humfrey was an easier thing at a distance than when beside
him. Honora came back to Sandbeach thoroughly restless and wretched,
reproaching herself with having wasted such constant, priceless
affection, haunted by the constant dread of each morning's post, and
longing fervently to be on the spot. She had self-command enough not to
visit her dejection on the children, but they missed both her spirits and
her vigilance, and were more left to their nurse; and her chief solace
was in long solitary walks, or in evening talks with Miss Wells. Kind
Miss Wells perhaps guessed how matters stood between the two last
Charlecotes, but she hinted not her suspicions, and was the unwearied
recipient of all Honora's histories, of his symptoms, of his
cheerfulness, and his solicitude for her. Those talks did her good, they
set the real Humfrey before her, and braced her to strive against
weakness and despondence.

And then the thought grew on her, why, since they were so thoroughly each
other's, why should they not marry, and be together to the last? Why
should he be left to his solitude for this final year? why should their
meetings be so prudentially chaperoned? Suppose the disease should be
lingering, how hard it was that she should be absent, and he left to
servants! She could well imagine why he had not proposed it; he was too
unse