How
strange they felt as they walked through the gayly-lighted streets!
How tired was Maurice! how delighted Joe! how dreamy and yet calm and
trustful, was Cecile. Since the vision about her purse, her absolute
belief in her Guide knew no bounds.
As near and dear, as certain and present, was He now to Cecile as if
in reality he was holding her little hand; as if in reality He was
carrying tired Maurice. He was there, the Goal was certain, the End
sure. When they got to the great big terminus she still felt
dreamlike, allowing Joe and Pericard to get their tickets and make
all arrangements. Then the children and dog found themselves in a
third-class compartment. Toby was well and skillfully hidden under
the seat, the whistle sounded, and Pericard came close and took
Cecile's hand. She was only a little child, but she was his princess,
the first sweet and lovely thing he had ever seen. Cecile raised her
lips to kiss him.
"Good-by, Pericard--good Pericard--faithful Pericard."
Then the train pulled slowly out of the station, and the children
were carried into the unknown darkness, and Pericard went home. He
never saw the children again. But all through his after-life he
carried a memory about with him of them, and when he heard of the
good God and the angels, this wild Paris lad would cross himself
devoutly, and think of Cecile.
CHAPTER XVI.
CHILDREN'S ARCADIA.
It was early spring in the south of France--spring, and delicious,
balmy weather.
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