`` Read it with your beautiful eyes , and tell me if the truth is written on it . '' `` Dear Bertha , yes ! '' The Blind Girl , still upturning the blank sightless face , down which the tears were coursing fast , addressed her in these words : `` There is not , in my soul , a wish or thought that is not for your good , bright May ! There is not , in my soul , a grateful recollection stronger than the deep remembrance which is stored there of the many many times when , in the full pride of sight and beauty , you have had consideration for Blind Bertha , even when we two were children , or when Bertha was as much a child as ever blindness can be ! Every blessing on your head ! Light upon your happy course ! Not the less , my dear May , '' -- and she drew towards her in a closer grasp , -- `` not the less , my bird , because , to-day , the knowledge that you are to be His wife has wrung my heart almost to breaking ! Father , May , Mary ! Oh , forgive me that it is so , for the sake of all he has done to relieve the weariness of my dark life : and for the sake of the belief you have in me , when I call Heaven to witness that I could not wish him married to a wife more worthy of his goodness ! '' While speaking , she had released May Fielding 's hands , and clasped her garments in an attitude of mingled supplication and love . Sinking lower and lower down , as she proceeded in her strange confession , she dropped at last at the feet of her friend , and hid her blind face in the folds of her dress . `` Great Power ! '' exclaimed her father , smitten at one blow with the truth , `` have I deceived her from her cradle , but to break her heart at last ? '' It was well for all of them that Dot , that beaming , useful , busy little Dot -- for such she was , whatever faults she had , and however you may learn to hate her , in good time -- it was well for all of them , I say , that she was there , or where this would have ended , it were hard to tell . But Dot , recovering her self-possession , interposed , before May could reply , or Caleb say another word . `` Come , come , dear Bertha ! come away with me ! Give her your arm , May ! So . How composed she is , you see , already ; and how good it is of her to mind us , '' said the cheery little woman , kissing her upon the forehead .
`` Come away , dear XXXXX !
Bertha Caleb Father Mary face feet recollection self-possession supplication weariness