Her forecast of the future to
be spent with Sidney was pathetic in its simplicity, but had the
stamp of nobleness. Thinking of the past years, she made clear to
herself all the significance of her training. In her general view of
things, wealth was naturally allied with education, but she
understood why Michael had had her taught so little. A wealthy woman
is called a lady; yes, but that was exactly what she was not to
become. On that account she had gone to work, when in reality there
was no need for her to do so. Never must she remove herself from the
poor and the laborious, her kin, her care; never must she forget
those bitter sufferings of her childhood, precious as enabling her
to comprehend the misery of others for whom had come no rescue. She
saw, moreover, what was meant by Michael's religious teaching, why
he chose for her study such parts of the Bible as taught the beauty
of compassion, of service rendered to those whom the world casts
forth and leaves to perish. All this grew upon her, when once the
gladness of her heart was revived. It was of the essence of her
being to exercise all human and self-forgetful virtues, and the
consecration to a life of beneficence moved her profoundly now that
it followed upon consecration to the warmer love.
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