My conversation with Mrs. Greenknowe in the garden was to a certain extent satisfactory. She had no objection to change her life, nor was she altogether averse to crossing the Atlantic; but she did not think herself justified to give any answer on the main point, which concerned me, because we were as yet but in an ordinary measure acquainted, and it was necessary to consult her friends.

I could not but acknowledge the good sense and prudence of what she said; but when I recalled to mind the fond confidence in each other with which Rebecca and I, with only my daily earnings, committed ourselves into the hands of Providence, I could not but think that the gathering of gear makes the heart sordid. Even in my second marriage there was little of human foresight; though there was not that drawing of hallowed affection which made me defy property with Rebecca, yet a plain and sincere reliance between Judith and me saved all the cost and trouble of contracts and settlements;— we joined hands, in a low estate, for better and worse, and neither of us had ever cause to repent the patriarchal simplicity of that union, though it was founded more on convenience than on impassioned love. Indeed, after the death of Rebecca, it was not in the power of my nature to love again. My spirit had been mingled with hers; and when the Lord was pleased to remove her from this world, she carried away to heaven all that holy enthusiasm which the graces of her character had awakened in my bosom, and which blended in such congenial affinity with the fine thoughts of her own innocent and beautiful mind. While she lived, I had no care, neither anxiety nor any worldly fear: if at times a flake of vapour appeared in the clear blue welkin of my spirit, it was like the feathers which are shaken from the golden wings of the summer morning, or the glorious flakes in the track of the setting sun. When I laid her head in the grave I felt no sorrow, but rather a solemn delight, believing I had cause to think I was beloved by a gracious being, who was then brightening in the presence of the Light of Light.