"Yes, yes," replied she, eagerly interrupting him, "that's the very reason
I would leave all to follow you. For, oh my love! how could I enjoy
father or mother, country or kin, and you a wanderer in the earth,
without a place whereon to lay your head! That single thought
would cover my days with darkness, and drive me to distraction.
But give me your company, my Gabriel, and then welcome that foreign land with
all its shady forests! Welcome the thatched cottage and the little garden
filled with the fruits of our own fondly mingled toils! Methinks, my love,
I already see that distant sun rising with gladsome beams
on our dew-spangled flowers. I hear the wild wood-birds
pouring their sprightly carols on the sweet-scented morning.
My heart leaps with joy to their songs. Then, O my husband! if we must go,
let us go without a sigh. God can order it for our good.
And, on my account, you shall cast no lingering look behind.
I am ready to follow you wherever you go. Your God shall be my God.
Where you live I will live, and where you die, there will I die,
and will be buried by your side. Nothing my beloved, but death,
shall ever part me from you."

"Angelic Louisa!" cried Marion, snatching her to his bosom in transports --
"Wondrous woman! what do I not owe to God, ever blessed, for such a comforter!
I came just now from Rochelle with the load of a mountain on my heart.
You have taken off that mountain, and substituted a joy
most lightsome and heavenly. Like a ministering angel,
you have confirmed me in duty; you have ended my struggles --
and by so cheerfully offering to forsake all and follow me,
you have displayed a love, dear Louisa, which will, I trust,
render you next to my God, the eternal complacency and delight of my soul."

In the midst of this tender scene, a servant came running to inform Louisa