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He bent over the golden head, and put the rosy lips to his, and

folded her in his arms. If one forlorn wanderer then pacing the

dark streets, could have heard her innocent disclosure, and could

have seen the drops of pity kissed away by her husband from the

soft blue eyes so loving of that husband, he might have cried to

the night--and the words would not have parted from his lips for

the first time--

"God bless her for her sweet compassion!"

CHAPTER XXI. Echoing Footsteps

A wonderful corner for echoes, it has been remarked, that corner

where the Doctor lived. Ever busily winding the golden thread

which bound her husband, and her father, and herself, and her old

directress and companion, in a life of quiet bliss, Lucie sat in

the still house in the tranquilly resounding corner, listening to

the echoing footsteps of years.