Part 92 (2/2)
When approaching voices were heard, he rose to steal away and tears moistened his mild brown eyes.
”Stay with me, please,” she whispered, clinging to his sleeve.
Through the arched doorway of the arbour, she saw two walking slowly.
Mrs. Laurance leaned upon Mr. Palma's arm, and as he bent his uncovered, head, in earnest conversation, his n.o.ble brow was placid and his haughty mouth relaxed in a half-smile. They reached the arbour, and paused.
In her morning robe of delicate lilac tint, Mrs. Laurance's sad tear-stained face seemed in its glory of golden locks, almost as fair as her child's. But one was just preparing to launch her frail argosy of loving hopes upon the sunny sea that stretched in liquid splendour before her dazzled eyes; the other had seen the wreck of all her heart's most precious freight, in the storm of varied griefs, that none but Christ could hush with His divine ”Be still.”
The repressed sorrow in the countenance of the mother was more touching than any outbreak could have been, and after a strong effort, she held out her hand, and said:
”My daughter.”
Regina sprang up, and hid her face on her mother's neck.
”When I began to hope in a blind dumb way that nothing more could happen to wring my heart, because I had my daughter safe, owned her entire undivided love, and we were all in all to each other; just when I dared to pray that my sky might be blue for a little while, because my baby's eyes mirrored it, even then the last, the dearest is stolen away, and by my best friend too! Child of my love, I would almost as soon see you in your shroud as under a bridal veil, for you will love your husband best, and oh! I want all of your dear heart for my own. How can I ever give you away, my one star-eyed angel of comfort!”
Her white hand caressed the head upon her bosom, and clasping her mother's waist, the girl said distinctly:
”Let it be as you wish. My mother's happiness is far dearer to me than my own.”
”Oh, my darling! Do you mean it? Would you give up your lover, for the sake of your poor desolate mother?”
She bent back the fair face and gazed eagerly into the girl's eyes.
”Mother, I should never cease to love him. Life would not be so sweet as it looked this morning, when I first learned he had given me his heart; but duty is better than joy, and I owe more to my suffering mother than to him, or to myself. If it adds to the cup of your many sorrows to give me even to him, I will try to take the bitter for my portion, and then sweeten as best I may the life that hitherto you have devoted to me. Mother, do with your child as seems best to your dear heart.”
She was very white, but her face was firm, and the fidelity of her purpose was printed in her sad eyes.
”G.o.d bless my sweet, faithful, trusting child!”
Mrs. Laurance could not restrain her tears, and Mr. Palma shaded his eyes with his hand.
”My little girl, make your choice. Decide between us.”
She moved a few steps, as if to free herself, but in rain; Regina's arms tightened around her.
”Between you? Oh no, I cannot. Both are too dear.”
”To whom does your heart cling most closely?”
”Mother, ask me no more. There is my hand. If you can consent to give it to him. I shall be--oh, how happy! If it would grieve you too much, then, mother, hold it, keep it. I will never murmur or complain, for now, knowing that he loves me, I can bear almost anything.”
Tears were streaming down the mother's cheeks, and pressing her lips to the white mournful face of her daughter she beckoned Mr. Palma to her side. For a moment she hesitated, held up the fair fingers and kissed them, then as if distrusting herself, quickly laid the little hand in his.
”Take my darling; and remember that she is the most precious gift a miserable mother ever yielded up.”
After a moment Mrs. Laurance whispered something, and very won the lovely face flushed a brilliant rose, the soft tender eyes were lifted timidly to Mr. Palma's face, and as he drew her to aim, she glided from her mother's arms into his, feeling his lips rest like a blessing from G.o.d on her pure brow.
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