tremor in his voice as he enquired for Rosalind which disappeared upon being told that she was in.
Being vexed with her Kate would not tell who the visitor was, but announced simply that a gentleman wished to see her. With the coolest indifference Rosalind descended to the parlor, neither caring nor guessing who her guest might be. As she met again those eyes that had never looked upon her but in kindness and love, and pressed again the hand that had so often pressed hers in silent sympathy, the floods of feeling swept away all self-control, and she burst into tears.
Weep on, Rosa, those tears are the seal of thy baptism into a higher life.
The barrier was dissolved. Deeper than all speech, more expressive than any outward symbol, was the impressive silence of that hour, the charm of which he sought not to break. It was the soul's confession. To him there was sweeter music in those sobs than ever came from sylvan lips. There was no more restraint or embarrassment, and in parting that night, though the outward pledge remained unspoken, each felt that they were wedded before God.
The moon, just risen, gave a sparkling radiance to the river whose peaceful flow they sat up long to watch in their respective chambers, to them symbolic of the quiet, noiseless manner in which their own lives had thus suddenly and silently merged into one.
Walter and his mother did not return until nearly midnight. She trembled at the sound of his footsteps lest he might intrude upon her meditations,
