trembling, and the brown eyes looked up at Helen with a pathetic glory of tenderness and love. 'There is no one else to wish me joy, Pow-no one but Rex, and he is cross. You might give me a kiss, I think.' And Helen stooped to the little white head before her, and old Pow's trembling hands held hers, and old Pow's kiss fell on her forehead. Eh, ma'am, I am so glad! I am so glad! God bless you, dear ma'am !' 6 CHAPTER LII AT LAST HENRY RUSSELL and Helen were married a few weeks later. When Lady Mary heard of the marriage, her heart grew hard against Guy's wife. To forget him so soon, when he had given up all for her sake, and gone to his death for her! Lady Mary hated her with a fierce hatred, and believed that she did well to be angry. Poor Lady Mary, hers is a sad life now, and her face shows it. Another woman heard of the marriage too, and wept bitterly. 'Oh, how could she ! How could she! Why did she take him from me if she did not love him?' And yet Helen had loved him well. Was her whole life to be sacrificed to the memory of his? Was she to have no happiness in all the years to come? Should her heart have been incapable of another love? Yes? Well, yes perhaps; but Nature says plain, No. These things have been and are, and will be still, so long as earth endures. 'Poor Hugh Dale understood, though his loyal heart was sore for a time. 'I never thought she would marry again,' he said. old Guy! That long staff-college prig too.' But he got over his first feeling of indignation. After all she was a dear woman, and he was a fine soldier; and you could not wish her to be alone all her life. And Mrs. Aylmer understood. Knowing her views about these matters, Helen had found it hard to write to her; and at first she found it hard to answer, but her answer in the end was very gentle and loving. Helen knew that she had not lost her friend. It was a happy marriage. Henry Russell makes more friends now, and fewer enemies. He is as determined as ever, but less proud, less unbending, more conciliatory. That he owes to his wife. And she owes him more, she thinks, than she can ever repay. It seems to her that as the little Swallow came that autumn evening out of the fierce buffeting of the wind and sea into the shelter of gray Pendennis, so she has come from the storms and sorrows of life safe into the shelter of that great constant love. All is well with her at last. THE END Annual Summaries. In 2 vols. | Biographies of Eminent Persons. In 4 vols. By ROLF BOLDREWOOD. SATURDAY REVIEW.-" Mr. Boldrewood can tell what he knows with great point and vigour, and there is no better reading than the adventurous parts of his books." PALL MALL GAZETTE.-"The volumes are brimful of adventure, in which gold, gold-diggers, prospectors, claim-holders, take an active part.” Robbery under Arms. A Colonial Reformer. The Squatter's Dream. By FRANCES HODGSON BURNETT. Louisiana; and That Lass o' Lowrie's. By HUGH CONWAY. MORNING POST.-" Life-like, and full of individuality." DAILY NEWS.-" Throughout written with spirit, good feeling, and ability, and a certain dash of humour." Olive. By Mrs. CRAIK. (The Author of "JOHN HALIFAX, Gentleman.") With Illustrations by G. Bowers. The Ogilvies. With Illustrations. Agatha's Husband. With Illustrations. Head of the Family. With Illustrations. Two Marriages. The Laurel Bush. My Mother and I. With Illustrations. King Arthur: Not a Love Story. By F. MARION CRAWFORD. SPECTATOR.-"With the solitary exception of Mrs. Oliphant we have no living novelist more distinguished for variety of theme and range of imaginative outlook than Mr. Marion Crawford." By Sir HENRY CUNNINGHAM, K.C.I.E. ST. JAMES'S GAZETTE.—“Interesting as specimens of romance, the style of writing is so excellent-scholarly and at the same time easy and natural-that the volumes are worth reading on that account alone. But there is also masterly description of persons, places, and things; skilful analysis of character; a constant play of wit and humour; and a happy gift of instantaneous portraiture." |