spectacle which spreads before him. The mists are parting, darkness is fleeing, and behold, this great human family is not a groping and distracted host: it is an advancing army, divinely ordered, divinely led. PART II. Our best beliefs from best affections spring, WILLIAM SMITH: Guidone. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Most quiet need, by sun and candle light. In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith. With my lost saints I love thee with the breath, MRS. BROWNING. CHAPTER XVI. MEETING. THE story of the man's life has been told partly in the words of his wife, as she wrote it in the early days of her bereavement, at first for dear friends only, then yielding with hesitancy to entreaties that it should be given to a wider circle. And now there lies at hand the fuller story of her own heart in its springtime, a story she wrote out at a later time for her solace. Under what impulse it was written is told in its opening words: - 6 "My husband, my all, even now, despite the distance and the dark,' I have often thought of writing down more fully my happy memories of our blended life. I will begin to-day (March 27, 1875) — will take refuge if I may from the unspeakable sorrow of the present in the glad completeness of the past. 6 "I was always fond of looking back even when, with you by my side, the now was better than any then, since you said you loved me more and more.' You would point me to the future, to other happy years. But now, I do not think you would blame me for seeking some alleviation for a grief that you pitied infinitely, infinitely.' I will weave into my narrative of facts bits of your writings, your letters. If I live to be old, to be blind, some kind soul will read these pages to me. They will help me to bear and to hope. They will quicken the failing life. It may be too that our nieces may find them precious, for surely it is good for all to dwell upon a character like yours, to sympathize with my love of you." And so, in the rare intervals when she was quite alone, |