Edward stretched himself beside Zoe, but not to sleep for hours, for ever
and anon she drew a sobbing breath that went to his very heart.
"Poor little thing!" he sighed, "I must have acted like a brute to grieve
her so deeply, I should not have undertaken the care of a child who I knew
had been spoiled by unlimited petting and indulgence, if I could not be
more forbearing and tender with her. If, instead of a show of authority, I
had tried reasoning and coaxing, doubtless the result would have been very
different, and she would have been saved all this. I am ashamed of myself!
Grandpa might possibly have acted so toward a wife, but my father never, I
am sure."
He was really very fond of his little wife, loving her with a protecting
love as something peculiarly his own, to be guided and moulded to suit his
ideas and wishes, so that she might eventually become the perfectly
congenial companion, capable of understanding and sympathizing in all his
views and feelings, which he desired, but found that she was not yet.
He began to fear she might never attain to that; that perhaps his sudden
marriage was a mistake that would ruin the happiness of both for life.
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