great books. Had the summons come to pack his effects to-morrow
and, saying good-by to everything else, start on a journey to the
congenial places where his mighty masters lived and wrought, he
would have wished her alone to go with him, sharer of life's
loftiness. Her companionship wherever he might be--to have just
that; to feel that she was always with him, and always one with
him; to be able to turn his eyes to hers before some vanishing
firelight at an hour like this, with deep rest near them side by
side!

He lingered over the first time he had ever seen her; that
memorable twilight in the town, the roofs and chimneys of the
houses, half-white, half-brown with melting snow, outlined against
the low red sunset sky. He had not long before left the room in the
university where his trial had taken place, and where he had
learned that it was all over with him. He was passing along one of
the narrow cross streets, when at a certain point his course was
barred by a heap of fresh cedar boughs, just thrown out of a wagon.
Some children were gay and busy, carrying them through the side
doors, the sexton aiding. Other children inside the lighted church
were practising a carol to organ music; the choir of their voices
swelled out through the open doors, and some of the little ones,
tugging at the cedar, took up the strain.

She was standing on the low steps of the church, in charge of the
children. In one hand she held an unfinished wreath, and she was
binding the dark, shining leaves with the other. A swarm of
snowflakes, scarce more than glittering crystals, danced merrily
about her head and flecked her black fur on one shoulder. As David,
not very mindful just then of whither he was going, stepped forward