And though she never knew again the joy of youth which had left her
forever, there came to her long intervals of rest and quiet and
comparative peace, if not happiness; and when, three years after the
tragedy which had blighted her young life, she, with others of her
companions, ratified her baptismal vows and openly confessed Christ, He
who sees and knows the secrets of all hearts, knew that among those who
knelt to receive the rite of confirmation there was not one purer or
more sincere than she who thought herself the vilest of the vile.
Naturally, as time rolled on, and the peddler Rogers came no more to
Allington, inquiries were made for him, the people wondering if he
intended remaining in Wales the remainder of his life, or would he
appear in their midst again some day, with his balbriggans and Irish
linens. But as he had never been more to the citizens than a peddler of
dry-goods, he was soon forgotten, and Peter Jerrold's secret was safe
under the floor, and the tin box, with the gold and the will, was safe
in the niche of the huge chimney, where Hannah had hidden it, until
such time as it could be given into the hands of the rightful owner.
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