He came and took her in his arms--took both, wife and
babe. She laid her head on his shoulder in bitter weeping. "Oh, John!
it is so hard. Our pretty one--our own little child!"

John did not speak, but only held her to him--close and fast. When she
was a little calmer he whispered to her the comfort--the sole comfort
even her husband could give her--through whose will it was that this
affliction came.

"And it is more an affliction to you than it will be to her, poor pet!"
said Mrs. Jessop, as she wiped her friendly eyes. "She will not miss
what she never knew. She may be a happy little child. Look, how she
lies and smiles."

But the mother could not take that consolation yet. She walked to and
fro, and stood rocking her baby, mute indeed, but with tears falling in
showers. Gradually her anguish wept itself away, or was smothered
down, lest it should disturb the little creature asleep on her breast.

Some one came behind her, and placed her in the arm-chair, gently. It
was my father. He sat down by her, taking her hand.

"Grieve not, Ursula. I had a little brother who was blind. He was the
happiest creature I ever knew."

My father sighed. We all marvelled to see the wonderful softness, even
tenderness, which had come into him.

"Give me thy child for a minute." Ursula laid it across his knees; he
put his hand solemnly on the baby-breast. "God bless this little one!
Ay, and she shall be blessed."

These words, spoken with as full assurance as the prophetic benediction
of the departing patriarchs of old, struck us all. We looked at little
Muriel as if the blessing were already upon her; as if the mysterious
touch which had scaled up her eyes for ever had left on her a sanctity
like as of one who has been touched by the finger of God.

"Now, children, I must go home," said my father.

They did not detain us: it was indeed best that the poor young parents
should be left alone.

"You will come again soon?" begged Ursula, tenderly clasping the hand
which he had laid upon her curls as he rose with another murmured "God
bless thee!"

"Perhaps. We never know. Be a good wife to thy husband, my girl. And
John, never be thou harsh to her, nor too hard upon her little
failings. She is but young--but young."

He sighed again. It was plain to see he was thinking of another than
Ursula.

As we walked down the street he spoke to me only once or twice, and
then of things which startled me by thei