" She
finished with solemn emotion: "It has been my prayer, Rowan."
She became silent with her recollections of her own early life for
a moment and then resumed:
"Nothing ever makes up for the loss of such years--the first years
of happy marriage. If we have had these, no matter what happens
afterward, we have not lived for nothing. It becomes easier for us
to be kind and good afterward, to take an interest in life, to
believe in our fellow-creatures, and in God."
He sprang up.
"Mother, I cannot speak with you about this now." He turned
quickly and stood with his back to her, looking out of doors; and
he spoke over his shoulder and his voice was broken: "You have had
one disappointment this morning: it is enough. But do not think of
my marrying--of my ever marrying. Dent must take my place at the
head of the house. It is all over with me! But I cannot speak
with you about this now," and he started quickly to leave the
parlors. She rose and put her arm around his waist, walking beside
him.
"You do not mind my speaking to, you about this, Rowan?" she said,
sore at having touched some trouble which she felt that he had long
been hiding from her, and with full respect for the privacies of
his life.
"No, no, no!" he cried, choking with emotion. "Ah, mother,
mother!"--and he gently disengaged himself from her arms.
She watched him as he rode out of sight. Then she returned and sat
in the chair which he had, quitted, folding her hands in her lap.
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