s only voluntary speech was as he bade
farewell to Amabel,--

'My sister now!'

'And _his_ brother,' she answered. 'Good-bye!'

As soon as Amabel was alone in the carriage with Charles, she leant
back, and gave way to a flood of tears.

'Amy, has it been too much?'

'No,' she said, recovering herself; 'but I am so glad! It was _his_
chief desire. Now everything he wished is fulfilled.'

'And you are free of your great charge. He has been a considerable care
to you, but now he is safe on Laura's hands, and well and satisfactory;
so you have no care but your daughter, and we settle into our home
life.'

Amabel smiled.

'Amy, I do wish I was sure you are happy.'

'Yes, dear Charlie, indeed I am. You are all so very kind to me, and it
is a blessing, indeed, that my own dear home can open to take in me and
baby. You know _he_ liked giving me back to you.'

'And it is happiness, not only thinking it ought to be! Don't let me
tease you, Amy, don't answer if you had rather not.'

'Thank you, Charlie, it _is_ happiness. It must be when I remember how
very happy he used to be, and there can be nothing to spoil it. When
I see how all the duties of his station worry and perplex Philip, I am
glad he was spared from it, and had all his freshness and brightness
his whole life. It beams out on me more now, and it was such perfect
happiness while I had him here, and it is such a pleasure and honour to
be called by his name; besides, there is baby. Oh! Charlie, I must be
happy--I am; do believe it! Indeed, you know I have you and mamma and
all too. And, Charlie, I think he made you all precious to me over again
by the way he loved you all, and sent me back, to you especially. Yes,
Charlie, you must not fancy I grieve. I am very happy, for he is, and
all I have is made bright and precious by him.'

'Yes,' said he, looking at her, as the colour had come into her face,
and she looked perfectly lovely with eager, sincere happiness; one of
her husband's sweetest looks reflected on her face; altogether, such a
picture of youth, joy, and love, as had not been displayed by the
bride that morning. 'Amy, I don't believe anything could make you long
unhappy!'

'Nothing but my own fault. Nothing else can part me from him,' she
whispered almost to herself.

'Yes; no one else had such a power of making happy,' said Charles,
thoughtfully. 'Amy, I really don't know whether even you owe as much
to your husband as I do. You were good fo