Page:The Wreck of a World - Grove - 1890.djvu/138

122 ity of the shock he had received proved the intensity of his passion: but through all the ups and downs of illness, through all the long days and longer nights of watching, that faithful nurse never tired nor grew impatient, but seemed to find a perfect happiness in toiling for the man she loved. A less unselfish nature than Gell's would have been spoiled by such devotion, as is too often the case in married life, when self-sacrificing devotion on the one side is repaid by complaint and ingratitude on the other; but with him, while he gladly accepted the service so readily offered, it only served to deepen the ardent affection he bore to his dear mistress, who so cheerfully became a menial servant for his dear sake. So Gell gradually recovered, and with his reviving strength came back some of the glad brightness of youth which for four long years he had put behind him. He was yet young, and might look forward to a long and happy life, and see his children's children, and peace upon our Israel.