"Yes. But she must be very unhappy."

"Miserable." And tears came to the eyes of Ellen.

"In the end, it will no doubt be best for her, Florence," said the
brother. "She will suffer acutely, but her false views of life, let
us hope, will be corrected, and then we shall have it in our power
to make her last days the best and happiest of her life."

"Oh, how gladly will I join in that work!" Mrs. Linden said, with a
glow of pure enthusiasm on her face. "Write to her, dear husband, at
once, and tell her that our home shall be her home, and that we will
love her with an unwavering love."

"Not yet, dear," returned Charles Linden, in a voice scarcely
audible from emotion, turning to Ellen and regarding her a moment
with a look of loving approval. "Not yet; the time for that will
come, but it is not now. My mother's heart is full of haughty pride,
and she would spurn, indignantly, any overtures we might make."

Much conversation passed as to what should be their future conduct
in regard to the mother. Ellen was anxious to make advances at once,
but the husband and his sister, who knew Mrs. Linden much better
than she did, objected.

"Time will indicate what is right for us to do," her husband said.
"Let us keep our hearts willing, and we shall have the opportunity
to act before many years pass by."

"Years?" said Ellen, in an earnest, doubting voice.