The Mothers Recompense, Volume II. | Page 4

felt, however I might endeavour to be
virtuous and good, till I had given again that which I had robbed, I
dared not implore the mercy of my God."
It is impossible to do justice by mere description to the plaintive
eloquence, to the mournfully-expressive voice with which these simple
words were said, betraying at once those thoughts and feelings which
had been so long concealed in Ellen's meek and youthful heart, the
hidden spring from which her every action had emanated; Mrs.
Hamilton felt its power, the sentiment was too exalted, too holy for
human praise. She folded her niece to her bosom.
"May the Almighty searcher of hearts accept this sacrifice and bless
you, my dear child. Secretly, unostentatiously, it has been done. Pure
must have been the thoughts which were yours when thus employed,

when such was their origin, and we may hope, indeed, they have been
accepted. Had no self-denial attended the payment of your debt, had
you merely entreated your uncle to repay himself from the fortune you
possess, I would not have accepted it; such a payment would neither
have been acceptable to me, nor to Him whom, I firmly believe, my
Ellen sought more to please. But when every action the last few years
has proved to me, the words you repeated have indeed been the
foundation of this self-conquest, I cannot but humbly, trustingly, think
it will be an accepted offering on high. Nor will I refuse to comply with
your request, my dearest Ellen; I will receive that which you have so
perseveringly and so painfully earned; it shall be employed in
purchasing prayers for us all, from those whom it may relieve. Let not
the recollection of the past again disturb you, my sweet child.
Solicitude and pain you indeed once caused me, but this moment has
redeemed it all. Continue thus undeviatingly to follow the blessed path
you have chosen, and our Ellen is and ever will be deserving of all the
love which those to whom she is so dear can lavish upon her."
For a few minutes there was silence, for the solemnity with which she
spoke had touched a responding chord; but the thoughts of the orphan
arose to heaven, silently petitioning for grace to continue in that blessed
path of which her aunt had spoken, in thankfulness for having been
permitted to conclude her painful task, and thus obtained the
approbation of her more than mother, the relative she so revered and
loved.
"And this, then, was the long task which your numerous avocations
during the day prevented your completing, and you therefore took the
time from that allotted to recreation and amusement--this, which so
strongly emboldened my little Ellen, that even my coldness had no
effect, except to make her miserable. What do you not deserve for thus
deceiving me? I do not think I know any punishment sufficiently
severe." Mrs. Hamilton had recalled all her playfulness, for she wished
to banish every trace of sadness and emotion from the countenance of
her niece. Ellen raised her head to answer her in her own playful tone,
when they were both startled by the declining light of day being
suddenly obscured, as if by the shadow of a figure standing by the open

window near them. It was, however, so dark, that the outlines of the
intruder were alone visible, and they would have been unrecognised by
any, save by the eye of affection.
Ellen sprung suddenly to her feet. "Edward!" burst gladly from her lips,
and in another second a fine manly youth had darted through the open
casement, and the long parted brother and sister were in each other's
arms. For a minute only Ellen was pressed in his embrace, and then
releasing her, he turned towards his aunt, and even as a devoted mother,
a fond and dutiful son, they met, for such had they been in the long
years of separation. Frequently had that high-spirited boy been tempted
to error and to sin, but as a talisman had her letters been. He thought on
the years that were passed, on their last interview, when every word
had graven itself upon his heart, on the devotedness of his orphan sister,
the misery he had once occasioned; he thought on these things, and
stood firm,--the tempter fled. He stood before them erect in youthful
beauty, no inward stain bade him turn from those fond looks or shrink
from the entwining arms of his young sister. And, oh, how blessed is it
thus to meet! to feel that vanished years have not estranged us, distance
has not diminished love, that we are to each other even as we parted; to
feel again the fond kiss, to hear once more the accents of a voice which
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