This prospect dwelt much in all of their minds, and was in each shaded with some degree of perplexity; but they none of them spoke of it for fear of accelerating the event.

If they had felt clear and determined as to the best course to be pursued, they were none of them deficient in courage to commence upon that course at once.

Miss Benson would, perhaps, have objected the most to any alteration in their present daily mode of life; but that was because she had the habit of speaking out her thoughts as they arose, and she particularly disliked and dreaded change.

Besides this, she had felt her heart open out, and warm towards the little helpless child, in a strong and powerful manner.

Nature had intended her warm instincts to find vent in a mother's duties; her heart had yearned after children, and made her restless in her childless state, without her well knowing why; but now, the delight she experienced in tending, nursing, and contriving for the little boy--even contriving to the point of sacrificing many of her cherished whims--made her happy and satisfied and peaceful.