CHAPTER II

Two more events remained to be added to the chain before it reaches fairly from the

outside of the story to the close.

While our new sense of freedom from the long oppression of the past was still strange

to us, I was sent for by the friend who had given me my first employment in wooden graving,

to receive from him a fresh testimony of his regard for my welfare.

He had been commissioned by his employers to go to Paris, and to examine for them a fresh

discovery in the practical application of his art, the merits of which they were anxious

to ascertain.

His own engagements had not allowed him leisure time to undertake the errand, and he had

most kindly suggested that it should be transferred to me.

I could have no hesitation in thankfully accepting the offer.

Or if I acquitted myself of my commission, as I hoped I should, the result would be

a permanent engagement on the illustrated newspaper to which I was now only occasionally attached.

I received my instructions and packed up for the journey the next day.

On leaving lore once more under what changed circumstances in her sister's care, a

serious consideration recurred to me which had more than once crossed my wife's mind

as well as my own already.

I mean the consideration of Mary Ann's future.

Had we any right to let our selfish affection accept the devotion of all that generous life,

was it not our duty, our best expression of gratitude, to forget ourselves, and to think

only of her?

...