She saw in
Fay's deep eyes and thoughtful brow that the child was taking it in,
though differently from Amy, who wanted to kiss the picture, while
Letty asked those babyish material questions about Heaven that puzzle
wiser heads than Aurelia's to answer.
So full was she of the thought, that she forgot her sense of something
strange and unaccountable in Mr. Belamour's manner before the evening,
nor was there anything to remind her of it afresh, for he was as calmly
grave and kindly courteous as ever; and he soon led her to pour forth
all her impressions of the day. Indeed she repeated to him great part
of the sermon, with a voice quivering with earnestness and emotion.
He was not stirred in the same way as she had been, saying in his
pensive meditative way, "The preacher is right. Love is life. The
misfortune is when we stake our all on one love alone, and that melts
from us. Then indeed there is death--living death!"
"But there is never-failing love, and new life that never dies!"
cried Aurelia, almost transported out of herself.
"May you ever keep hold of both unobscured, my sweet child," he
returned, with a sadness that repressed and drove her back into
herself again, feeling far too childish and unworthy to help him
to that new life and love; though her young heart yearned over
him in his desolation, and her soul was full of supplication for
him.
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