I prayed for it on my knees.

Through all these long, long years, I have never once forgotten you, or left off hoping that this happy time might come.' The eloquence of Joe's arm surpassed the most impassioned language; and so did that of his lips--yet he said nothing, either.
'And now, at last,' cried Dolly, trembling with the fervour of her speech, 'if you were sick, and shattered in your every limb; if you were ailing, weak, and sorrowful; if, instead of being what you are, you were in everybody's eyes but mine the wreck and ruin of a man; I would be your wife, dear love, with greater pride and joy, than if you were the stateliest lord in England!' 'What have I done,' cried Joe, 'what have I done to meet with this reward ?' 'You have taught me,' said Dolly, raising her pretty face to his, 'to know myself, and your worth; to be something better than I was; to be more deserving of your true and manly nature.

In years to come, dear Joe, you shall find that you have done so; for I will be, not only now, when we are young and full of hope, but when we have grown old and weary, your patient, gentle, never-tiring wife.

I will never know a wish or care beyond our home and you, and I will always study how to please you with my best affection and my most devoted love.

I will: indeed I will!' Joe could only repeat his former eloquence--but it was very much to the purpose.
'They know of this, at home,' said Dolly.