If he can give up the happiness of being a husband and father, for the sake of his duty to his mother, cannot I give up the happiness of being a wife and mother, for the sake of my affection and duty towards him ?" It looked very plain to Mercy in these first days.

It looked right, and it seemed very full of joy.

Her life seemed now rounded and complete.

It had a ruling motive, without which no life is satisfying; and that motive was the highest motive known to the heart,--the desire to make another human being perfectly happy.

All hindrances and difficulties, all drawbacks and sacrifices, seemed less than nothing to her.