"And it was for this you left me! Dear child, I forgive you!" As he spoke, he drew her hand over towards the one that grasped that of Mark, and uniting them together, murmured-- "If you love each other, it is all right.

My blessing shall go with you." How mild and delicious was the thrill that ran through each of the hearts of his auditors.

This was more than they expected.

Mark tightly grasped the hand that was placed within his own, and that hand gave back an answering pressure.

Thus was the past reconciled with the present; while a vista was opened toward a bright future.
Little more than a year has passed since this joyful event took place.