Still, now that his steps no longer echoed at their door, and his deep voice sounded not again on her ear, a lonely feeling stole into her heart, and often she crept from her dreary home and sought the churchyard.
Christmas had come and gone; a joyless season to many saddened hearts accustomed to hail it with delight.

The cousins had returned to their home, and were busily arranging their yard, and making some alterations for the New Year.

Florence had begun of late to grow cheerful again, and Mary watched, with silent joy, the delicate tinge come back to her marble cheek.

She seemed very calm, and almost hopeful; and the spirit of peace descended and rested on their hearth.
Only one cause of sorrow remained--Mary's declining health: yet she faded so gently, and almost painlessly, that their fears were ofttimes lulled.
Dr.Bryant was still engaged in nursing the wounded, and only came occasionally, regretting often that it was not in his power to see them more frequently.

A change had come over him of late; the buoyancy of his spirits seemed broken, and his gay tone of raillery was hushed; the bright, happy look of former days was gone, and a tinge of sadness was sometimes perceptible on his handsome face.