Memory recalled no picture of unkindness, injustice or
inconstancy. Even the scene upon the beach was faded, gone, lost! But
the light of the past glowed around her--their seaside strolls and
woodland wanderings--
"The still, green places where they met,
The moonlit branches dewy wet,
The greeting and the parting word,
The smile, the embrace, the tone that made
An Eden of the forest shade--"
kindling a pure rapture from memory, and a wild longing from hope, that
her full heart could scarce contain.
But soon came on another current of thought and feeling opposed to the
first--doubt and fear of the meeting. For herself she felt that she
could forget all the sorrows of the past; aye! and with fervent glowing
soul, and flushed cheeks, and tearful eyes, and clasped hands, she
adored the Father in Heaven that He had put no limit to forgiveness--no!
in that blessed path of light all space was open to the human will, and
the heart might forgive infinitely--and to its own measureless extent.
But how would Thurston meet her? He had suffered such tortures from
remorse that doubtless he would rejoice "with exceeding great joy" to
find that the deed attempted in some fit of madness had really not been
effected.
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