“No, not alone, dear,” said the lady, “for now that you have no one else, I intend to claim you.  I love you already as a daughter, and I am going to care for your future.”

Clemence was too weak to do anything but yield, and when she was able to ride out, Mrs. Linden took her to her own home.  But although she recovered sufficiently to walk about the house and garden, and to take long rides into the country, yet her faithful nurse began to fear that she would never be really well again.

“She needs a change,” said the physician.  “A journey would do her good.”

So they packed up, and went off to the seaside.  The bracing air did for Clemence what the doctor’s medicine had failed to accomplish.  In spite of the languid interest she took in everything, hope grew stronger each day in the care of her watchful friend.  And at last the roses came back to her cheeks, and when they went back to the city, in the cool September days, she was strong and well once more.

“Do you know, Clemence, it is six months since you have been under my charge?” asked Mrs. Linden, as they sat sewing by the bright fire, that the chilly fall day rendered agreeable.

“Is it possible?” was the startled reply.  “How long I have been a burden on your kindness!  Alas! what changes have occurred within a short time.”

“I know what you are thinking of now, child, and I did not wish to make you melancholy by reminding you of the past.”

“Oh, Madam,” said the girl, “it is never absent from my thoughts.  You surely would not have me forget the great loss I have sustained?”

“No, Clemence,” replied the elder, “that would be wrong, but I do not want you to brood over it.  Remember who sent this affliction.  ’The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away.’”

“But she was all that I had to love,” said Clemence; “what is life to me now?”

“Don’t talk like that, dear,” said Mrs. Linden, gently, “the unrestrained indulgence of grief is always wrong.  Have you never thought how selfish it was to wish your mother back again, as I have so often heard you?  God’s ways are inscrutable.  But though his children cannot always see what is best for themselves, He never errs.  Your mother was a good woman, a faithful wife, and loving parent, but a life of uninterrupted prosperity had left her a stranger to the peace that cometh only from obedience to the will of Him who created us.  It was in the midst of adversity that she found the source of consolation.  She learned then how precious is the love the Father feels for the suffering ones of earth.  She was willing to go.  Her only fears were for you.  Can you not have faith that the prayers she breathed for your welfare with her dying lips, will be answered?  You are young yet, and there is work for you to do in the world.  Interest yourself in some worthy object, and you will be astonished at the change in your own feelings.”

Clemence looked up with a new light dawning upon her face.  These thoughts were new to her.