Orange Grove (Wall)/Chapter 28
"Holy and fervent love! had earth but rest
For thee and thine, this world were all too fair!
How could we thence be weaned to die without despair?"
Rosalind found much time to devote to her studies during the winter, in which, being occasionally assisted by her husband, she found a charm that dispelled many of those vain queries she was so prone to enter into. That intellect was finding rest at last, for it was a rest to be satiated in its demands, no matter how much labor it cost the brain to follow that untiring will. Domestic duties might press upon her, or benevolent enterprises require her assistance, but nothing could usurp the paramount claims of her nature upon that science which, more than aught else, revealed the mystery of the world's creation, and reconciled her to the decree which has appointed unto all men to suffer, since into all is breathed a spark of the divine life whose omnipotent genius called all these worlds into existence, and which will still exist when they shall cease to be. The sufferings of a few short years were swallowed up in the presence of the glorious eternity toward which all were hastening, and which was already beginning to dawn upon her as she threaded the sublime wonders so closely connecting the divine law with the intellect of man. Others might reverently approach the Throne of Infinite Wisdom with so much of the childlike simplicity of faith in their organization as to abandon all doubts and questionings, but not so this investigating mind. She was subject to natural laws governing her organization, by obedience to which she could alone intelligently worship at the Throne of infinite love and knowledge. So long as she felt blindly led, stumbling blocks were sure to hedge her pathway, but when intellect, the channel through which all her convictions must receive their moulding process, was allowed its normal sway, her trust and faith were as clear and firm as Walter's.
During Walter's next visit home in the summer vacation, James Morgan and his wife paid a visit to Orange Grove, with their little son, a sprightly babe of six months. Mary had at great desire for her parents to see the little fellow, thinking it possible her father might relent at the sight of the priceless treasure, possessing such uncommon merit in her eyes. As it would not do for her to go there, it was decided that Walter and Rosalind should take him to Mr. Kingley's, thus affording his wife an opportunity to see him, whether he consented to it or not. They did so, and she was overjoyed, laughing and crying alternately as she fondled and kissed the babe again and again, while the little cherub kicked and crowed as if the whole world was bound to make him happy. Mr. Kingley received them coldly, taking no notice of the baby. He peeped suspiciously at them from under his shaggy eyebrows, showing plainly by his actions that he considered them as intruders.
As they rose to leave Mrs. Kingley clung to the child with affectionate tenacity, when he spoke for the first time, addressing her,
"Don't woman, act so like a fool, let the young un go to his mother."
Although Mary had not expected her father to treat her with his former indulgence, she did think he would show some signs of lingering affection, and not until they returned and gave an account of their reception, did she realize how much she had calculated on this unconscious mediator as the repairer of the breach between them. She now gave up every hope of reconciliation, and when Rosalind restored to her her little charge, who immediately began to set up a clamor for his rights, the sight of his mother having suddenly reminded him of his morning lunch, she withdrew to her chamber, and alter lulling him to sleep, gave way to a passionate flood of tears. She felt a sense of languor when her grief had spent its force, and, lying down by the side of her sleeping babe, a deep slumber soon came to her relief, which Rosalind thought best not to disturb when she entered the chamber to summon her to dinner. Finding the child awake, who was laughing and cooing gently, but not sufficiently loud to awaken the sleeper, she took him to the table where they had a merry time, showing the type of royalty to which homage is most readily given. The etiquette of the dinner table was dispensed with in the presence of the unconscious stranger who was making his first debut at this family board. Rosalind tried to learn him to eat, and put some food in his mouth, for which, evidently, he had no appetite, or he was so excited by his novel position, that he could not give his attention to that duty. Finding himself the centre of attraction, as he looked from one to another of the group, he gave occasionally a leap and a bound, which excited their laughter, and in which he joined as heartily as any.
Mary awoke soon after, feeling greatly composed by the tranquilizing influences of sleep; and interrupted their merriment by her appearance, at which he recovered his appetite, and the customary honors of the table were soon resumed. James came the next day to take them home again, having left them the first time he was there at the urgent solicitation of Rosalind, which, however, he regretted before reaching his house. Desolate enough it seemed without the two lights that had of late radiated it, and he found food for reflection, at the thought of what was, and what might have been. Scarcely could that manly frame resist the gathering tears, as his soul ascended in praises and thanksgiving for the narrow escape from a life of degradation a kind Providence had vouchsafed to him.
Honors and fame awaited him, but nothing could win him from the side of his beloved Mary, where every evening was spent which could be spared from the pressure of business, being now admitted as a partner in the firm to which Walter first introduced him on that memorable day when he vowed before God never again to touch the intoxicating cup.