seemed to revive with added emotion at that moment, and those scenes which had been without emotion during enactment had emotion then. Yet grief came to her rather as a luxury than as the scourge of former times.
Owing to Bathsheba's face being buried in her hands she did not notice a form which came quietly into the porch, and on seeing her, first moved as if to retreat, then paused and regarded her. Bathsheba did not raise her head for some time, and when she looked round her face was wet, and her eyes drowned and dim. "Mr. Oak," exclaimed she, disconcerted, "how long have you been here?"
"A few minutes, ma'am," said Oak, respectfully.
"Are you going in?" said Bathsheba; and there came from within the church as from a prompter—
"I loved the garish day; in spite of fears
Pride ruled my will remember not past years."
"I was," said Gabriel. "I am one of the bass singers, you know. I have sung bass for several months."
"Indeed: I wasn't aware of that. I'll leave you then."
"Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile,"
sang the children.
