My child , I hope and pray that you may be happy , '' she said brokenly . In the surge of the suddenly merry crowd of well-wishers around the bride and groom , Isabella was pushed back into a shadowy corner behind a heap of sails and ropes . Looking up , she found herself crushed against David Spencer . For the first time in twenty years the eyes of husband and wife met . A strange thrill shot to Isabella 's heart ; she felt herself trembling . `` Isabella . '' It was David 's voice in her ear -- a voice full of tenderness and pleading -- the voice of the young wooer of her girlhood -- `` Is it too late to ask you to forgive me ? I 've been a stubborn fool -- but there has n't been an hour in all these years that I have n't thought about you and our baby and longed for you . '' Isabella Spencer had hated this man ; yet her hate had been but a parasite growth on a nobler stem , with no abiding roots of its own . It withered under his words , and lo , there was the old love , fair and strong and beautiful as ever . `` Oh -- David -- I -- was -- all -- to -- blame , '' she murmured brokenly . Further words were lost on her husband 's lips . When the hubbub of handshaking and congratulating had subsided , Isabella Spencer stepped out before the company . She looked almost girlish and bridal herself , with her flushed cheeks and bright eyes . `` Let 's go back now and have supper , and be sensible , '' she said crisply . `` Rachel , your father is coming , too . He is coming to STAY , '' -- with a defiant glance around the circle . `` Come , everybody . '' They went back with laughter and raillery over the quiet autumn fields , faintly silvered now by the moon that was rising over the hills . The young bride and groom lagged behind ; they were very happy , but they were not so happy , after all , as the old bride and groom who walked swiftly in front .
Isabella 's hand was XXXXX her husband 's and sometimes she could not see the moonlit hills for a mist of glorified tears .
after around as behind by for in of that with