She stood, therefore, in the centre of the grave,
self-restrained group of her nearest kin, like an alien to their blood,
resembling some timid and but half-tamed tenant of the air, that human art
had endeavored to domesticate, by placing it in the society of the more
tranquil and confiding inhabitants of the aviary.
Notwithstanding the strength of her affections, and her devotion to all
the natural duties of her station, Ruth Heathcote was not now to learn the
manner in which she was to subdue any violence in their exhibition. The
first indulgence of joy and gratitude was over, and in its place appeared
the never-tiring, vigilant, engrossing, but regulated watchfulness, which
the events would naturally create. The doubts, misgivings, and even
fearful apprehensions, that beset her, were smothered in an appearance of
satisfaction; and something like gleamings of happiness were again seen
playing about a brow that had so long been clouded with an unobtrusive
but corroding care.
"And thou recallest thine infancy, my Ruth?" asked the mother, when the
respectful period of silence, which ever succeeded prayer in that family,
was passed; "thy thoughts have not been altogether strangers to us, but
nature hath had its place in thy heart.
Pages:
595
596
597
598
599
600
601
602
603
604
605
606
607
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619