"_Semper
fidelis._" She could see the words now as he used to write them on the
slate. If he might only know that she cared for the ring! If he might
only know that she was waiting for him to come back to bring it to her.
If he might only know--But he had God now; he was in the presence of
Jesus Christ. There was no marrying or giving in marriage in the
presence of Christ in Heaven. Giving in marriage and marrying had been in
his presence on the earth; but where fullness of joy was, there was
something better. Marriage belonged to the earth. She belonged to the
earth; but he belonged to Heaven. The ring did not signify that she was
married to him--I think it might have meant that to her, if she had read
the shallow sentimentalism of some love stories; but Miss Prudence had
kept her from false ideas, and given her the truth; the truth, that
marriage was the symbol of the union of Christ and his people; a pure
marriage was the type of this union. Linnet's marriage was holier and
happier because of Miss Prudence's teaching. Miss Prudence was an old
maid; but she had helped others beside Linnet and Marjorie towards the
happiest marriage. Marjorie had not one selfish, or shallow, or false
idea with regard to marriage. And why should girls have, who have good
mothers and the Old and New Testaments?
With no shamefacedness, no foolish consciousness, she went down among
them with Morris' ring upon her finger. She would as soon have been
ashamed to say that an angel had spoken to her.
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