O Mercy, do try and remember all the time that you are the one bright thing in my life,--in my whole life." "I will, Stephen, I will," said Mercy, resolutely, her whole face glowing with the new purposes forming in her heart.

It was marvellous how clear the relation between herself and Stephen began to seem to her.

It was rather by her magnetic consciousness of all that he was thinking and feeling than by the literal acceptance of any thing or all things which he said.

She seemed to herself to be already one with him in all his trials, burdens, perplexities; in his renunciation; in his self-sacrifice; in his loyalty of reticence; in his humility of uncomplainingness.
When she bade him "good-night," her face was not only serene: it was serene with a certain exaltation added, as the face of one who had entered into a great steadfastness of joy.

Stephen wondered greatly at this transition from the excitement and grief she had at first shown.