When the captain left her she fell into a reverie, her sweet, patient
face, with its delicate complexion, lighted up by the images of
retrospection; the dark blue eyes, which held so much insight and
purpose in their depths, were still beautiful under their arched
eyebrows, the soft, straight fringe of hair combed down over her
forehead like a little child's showed the iron-grey of age, and the
mouth, a little sunken, told the same tale, but the spirit of love and
peace within preserved to Sara a beauty that was not dependent upon
outward form. It was felt by all who came in contact with her, and
perhaps was the cause of the curious feeling of awe with which her
neighbours regarded her.

As the little puffing steamer ploughed her way through the clear, green
water, the ever-changing sky of a March day overhead, the snow-white
wreaths of spray, the clear white line of the horizon, the soft grey,
receding shore, all unheeded by the captain and his three subordinates,
aroused in Sara's mind the intense pleasure that only a heart at peace
with itself and with Nature can feel, and as she leant her soft veined
hands on her crutched stick, resting her chin upon them, a little
picturesque figure on the commonplace, modern steamer, the romance of
life which we are apt to associate only with the young, added its charm
to the thoughts of the woman of many years. The beauty of the world,
the joy of it, the great hopes of it, all filled her soul to
overflowing, for she believed her journey would bring light and
happiness to Ebben Owens. This had been the desire of her young life,
and would now be granted to her in her old age. Yes! Sara's heart was
full of joy and gratitude, for she knew neither doubt nor fear.