But
there is something beyond what you see: I know that it must seem to
you as if something almost disconcerting had passed over life--as
if such a hope must absorb the heart of a mother; but there is a
thing you cannot know, and that is the infinite dearness in which
this involves you. You would think perhaps that it could not be
increased in Maud's case, but it is increased a hundredfold--it is
a splendour, a worship, as of divine creative power. Don't be
afraid! Don't look forward! You will see day by day that this has
brought Maud's love for you to a point of which you could hardly
dream. Words can't touch these things: you must just believe me
that it is so. You will think that a childless wife like myself
cannot know this. There is a strange joy even in childlessness, but
it is the joy that comes from the sharing of a sorrow; but the joy
which comes from sharing a joy is higher yet."
"Yes," said Howard, "I know it, and I believe it. I will tell you
very frankly that you have looked into my very heart; but you have
not seen quite into the depths: I see my own weakness and
selfishness clearly. With every part of my mind and reason I see
the wonder and strength of this; and I shall feel it presently.
What has shocked me is just my lack of the truer instinct; but
then," he added, smiling, "that's just the shadow of comfort and
ease and the intellectual life: one goes so far on one's way
without stumbling across these big emotions; and when one does
actually meet them, one is frightened at their size and strength.
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