We turned to the old man in wonder. His eyes were fixed upon his wife with an intensity of admiration and reverence almost startling. It was evident that the love of youth had survived every trial, all life's rough lessons. So far he could have nothing to regret. The folly of which he had been guilty--and it was an undoubted folly and mistake--had been condoned and excused by the after life.
"We no longer marvel that you deserted the ranks of the army for those of a sweeter service," we said, looking from one to the other and feeling that we gazed upon a wonderful idyll.
"Was she not worth it--even all I renounced!" he cried. "Nerissa, I have told these gentlemen all my boyish folly and indiscretion--all you made me give up for your bewitching eyes."
Almost a youthful flush passed over the old lady's face as she smiled rather sadly in response.
"It was indeed much to renounce for me," she said, in a very sweet voice. "I was not worth it; no woman could be worth it. I ought never have permitted it, and the thought has been one of the lasting sorrows of my life. But we act first and think after. Though after all, what I renounced was also great."
"We are quite sure you would do it all over again. You do not in the least regret it, and your life has been a very happy one."
Again the youthful flush passed over the old lady's face. She put out her hand--a small, delicate hand--as though searching for her husband's. He had soon clasped it.
"Nerissa, you do not regret anything," he said. "You know quite well you would do it all over again if we could go back to the beginning of life."
Her sightless but still wonderfully expressive eyes looked up into his face.
"With you to tempt me, Alphonse, how could I resist? Alas, human nature is weak where the heart is concerned."
"We have four, señor," replied the old lady. "And grand-children also. Our children are all out in the world, and not one of them lives in Lerida. As far as I was able I brought them up well, and tried to give them a little bearing and refinement. But we have always been poor, and poverty means limitation. They are all prospering, but in fairly humble life. At rare intervals one or other pays us a visit; but time flies quickly and they are soon gone again."