Page:Blind Allan (2).pdf/8

8 deed all their friends and relations, set their faces against marriage. This they did in kindness to them both, for prudence is one of the best virtues of the poor, and to indulge even the holiest af- fections of our nature, seems to them to be sinful, if an affliction from God's hand intimates that such union would lead to sorrow and distress. The same thoughts had taken possession of Al- lan's own soul, and loving Fanny Raeburn with a perfect affection, why should he wish her, in the bright and sunny days of her youthful prime, to become chained to a Blind Man's Steps, kept in constant poverty and drudgery for his sake, and imprisoned in a lonesome hut, during the freedom of her age, and the joyfulness of nature ringing over the earth ? " It has pleased God,' said the blind man to himself, " that our marriage should not be. Let Fanny, if she chooses, some time or other, marry another, and be happy." And as the thought arose, he felt the bitterness of the cup, and wished that he might soon be in his grave.

For, while his eyes were not thus dark, he saw many things that gave him pleasure, besides his Fanny, well as he loved her; nor had his been an absorbing passion, although most sincere. He had often been happy at his work, with his companions, in the amusement of his age and con- dition, with the members of his own family,