CHAPTER XIV. THE EARLY BLEST. "No flower can drop Too soon, if ripe for glory. Early pluck'd MACDUFF. THE cold gray of the early dawn found Ella alone by the bedside of her departed brother, for she had persuaded her mother to take needful rest. Her heart was sorely tried, but she bowed in acquiescence to His will who doeth all things well, and it was an unspeakable pleasure to her to think that her beloved Herbert had learnt to love Him ere he had been called to another world. The three days intervening between Herbert's death and that on which his mortal frame was committed to the dust, were spent by Ella with her family, endeavouring to cheer her mother and little Maggie under the loss which they had all been called to sustain, and in so doing she found her own sorrow lessened. The day after the funeral she returned to Blanche, who had in the meantime been slowly recovering; she was now able to leave her bed for a little while, and was sitting in an easychair, by the window of her room, when Ella entered. "Oh, Miss Woodville," she exclaimed on seeing her, "you have come back again; I am so glad. What a long time you have been away!" Ella knelt down by the chair, and put her arms round the little girl without speakingand Blanche felt a warm tear fall upon her hand. "Miss Woodville, dear Miss Woodville, you are crying! What is the matter? Do tell me." But Ella was crying intensely, though quietly, and could not just then answer her little pupil. Blanche stroked her face very gently with her hand and was silent. But Ella did not long give way to her grief; she forced back her tears and spoke calmly. "You are better, dear Blanche, aren't you?" "Yes, Miss Woodville, a great deal better than I was. How are Herbert, and Maggie, and Mrs. Woodville ?" These questions made Ella's tears come again. "Miss Woodville dear, do tell me what is the matter," said Blanche, a little anxiously. "I will, my child. You perhaps expected me back sooner when I left you, but I couldn't come, for when I reached home, I found that my brother was ill.” "Oh, Miss Woodville!" "Yes, Blanche," said Ella, striving to speak calmly, "he had taken the fever. You can guess the rest, I cannot speak it." Blanche put her arms round Miss Wood ville's neck, and giving her a very gentle kiss, mingled her tears with hers for a few moments. Then she said, in a low voice, "Then he is dead, Miss Woodville." Ella did not speak, for she could not, but her silence was answer sufficient. Neither spoke for some time. Blanche kept her arms round Miss Woodville's neck, who still knelt by her chair, and, from time to time, pressed her lips very gently to her forehead, a silent expression of sympathy. At length Ella rose with a sigh. "This is not good for you, my child; I should not have given way, but I could not help it. Herbert bade me give his love to you, Blanche, and he knew he should meet you in heaven.” A look, half of doubt, rested on Blanche's face. "He told me once he did not love God," she said in a low tone. "He did not then, Blanche, but since that time God has taught him to love Him, and it was a conversation he had with you one day that was blessed to that end. Oh, Blanche, we all have cause to thank God that you ever came here!" "I am so glad, Miss Woodville. I didn't at all like coming here, but God knew best. I wonder what other work He has for me to do; you know the angel said He had some other." "We cannot tell, dear Blanche, but let the angel of your dream always remain with you; let love guide you, and then you will not go far wrong." "Herbert has seen mama now; do you think he would know her, Miss Woodville?" "Probably not, my dear, as he knew her not on earth; but, Blanche, our Saviour will be the principal source of attraction in heaven." "Yes, I know that, Miss Woodville; but oh, I hope I shall know my dear mama when I get there, and Herbert too. Don't you think I shall, Miss Woodville ?" |