As Marlow strode away he came to a sudden resolution--he would
look upon his wife and children before they saw him; he would
feast his eyes while they were unconscious of the love that was
beaming upon them. The darkness and storm favored his project, and
in brief time he saw the light in his window. Unlatching the gate
softly, and with his steps muffled by the snow that already
carpeted the frozen ground, he reached the window, the blinds of
which were but partially closed. His children frolicking about the
room were the first objects that caught his eye, and he almost
laughed aloud in his joy. Then, by turning another blind slightly,
he saw his wife shivering over the fire.
"Great God!" he muttered, "how she has suffered!" and he was about
to rush in and take her into his arms. On the threshold he
restrained himself, paused, and said, "No, not jet; I'll break the
news of my return in my own way. The shock of my sudden appearance
might be too great for her;" and he went back to the window. The
wife's eyes were following her children with such a wistful
tenderness that the boy, catching her gaze, stopped his sport,
came to her side, and began to speak.
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