"Yes; oh, yes. I could not give him up now, except to God. I trust I
could do that, though once I could not, I am sure," and, nestling
closer to Anna, Lucy whispered to her of the new-born hope that she
was better than she used to be, that daily interviews with Arthur had
not been without their effect, and now, she trusted, she tried to do
right, from a higher motive than just the pleasing of him.
"God bless you, darling," was Anna's response, as she clasped the
hand of the young girl who was now far more worthy to be Arthur's wife
than once she had been.
If Anna ever had a thought of telling Arthur, it would have been put
aside by that interview with Lucy. She could not harm that pure,
loving, trusting girl, and she sent her from her with a kiss and
blessing, praying silently that she might never know a shadow of the
pain which she was suffering.