parted, with the one great grief that included and covered them all. And as new spring light shone, and inspiring breezes breathed on the passive suiface of the landscape, and cheered the hearts, and quickened the blood of men, young hopes peeped out again through the mass of withered feelings, and fairer prospects bloomed amid the wreck of fallen greatness; and although these evidences of reviving life contrasted with the sad evidences of death around, yet the weary eye rested thankfully on the new beauty, and loved it as the beginning of a larger and more generous joy to come.
A lighter step moved within the halls and chambers; voices recovered a tone less whispered; eyes looked forward less dimmed and shrouded; and present cares and duties assumed the mastery over thoughts and hands.
The summer came with its glories; andin the midst of the affluence of health and rejoicing, of bloom and fruitage without, the Lady Judith habitually sat gazing on the charming scene, and feeling all the more keenly for the gladness before her the abrupt and painful severance of her own heart from the love that had filled her life with similar exuberance.
Beside her stood her boy, gazing sadly into his mother’s mourning face, and wondering why she felt so sad. Gradually, and with a flowing tear, she told himthe melancholy tale. “Bad men,” she said “had taken his papa from her and him;” and as the child inquired why they had done that, she could merely reply: “My son, I can only hope that you will grow
