Page:Ethel Churchill 3.pdf/328

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326
ETHEL CHURCHILL.

the only redeeming point—but how much, indeed, does that redeem—is her tenderness for her daughter. We owe, also, to Lady Mary the introduction of inoculation—the moral courage she displayed; the blessing conferred by her exertions may well silence the harsh judgment which suits so little with our narrow and finite intelligence.

It was just such an evening, by

"Departed summer tenderly illumined,"

as the one on which our narrative commenced, that Norbourne and Ethel stood beside the little fountain, whose scattered silver fell over the blue harebells around.

They had been married at Norbourne Park, but they mutually wished to pass the first few weeks of their wedded happiness in the place which had witnessed the commencement of their love. We can bear to look back on past suffering when in the very fulness of content. Norbourne had been leaning for some time watching the soft shadows, that, as they passed, gave each a new aspect to the land-