And over the black hills all around rose a world of stars.
Somewhere out there was Peer, far out maybe upon some country road, the
horse plodding on through the dark at its own will, its master sitting
with bowed head, brooding.
"Help us, Thou above--and help him most, he has had so much adversity in
these last days."
But the starry vault seems icy cold--it has heard the prayers of
millions and millions before--the hearts of men are nothing to the
universe.
Merle drooped her head and went in again to the house.
It was midnight when Peer drove up the hill towards his home. The
sight of the great house with its brilliantly lighted windows jarred so
cruelly on his wearied mind that he involuntarily gave the horse a cut
with his whip.
He flung the reins to the stable-boy who had come out with a lantern,
and walked up the steps, moving almost with a feeling of awe in this
great house, as if it already belonged to someone else.
He opened the door of the drawing-room--no one there, but light, light
and comfort. He passed through into the next room, and there sat Merle,
alone, in an armchair, with her head resting on the arm, asleep.
Had she been waiting so long?
A wave of warmth passed through him; he stood still, looking at her; and
presently her bowed figure slowly straightened; her pale face relaxed
into a smile. Without waking her, he went on into the nursery, where
the lights were still burning. But here the lights shone only on three
little ones, lying in their clean night-clothes, asleep.
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