"It grieves me. I beg you to give me back my word."
"It comes so sudden. Why did you not tell me before?"
"Because I knew of nothing that called for my hasty departure until last night."
"There is something more than a business aspect of it. We have grown fond of you."
"I have grown fond of you and yours. I shall think of you with affection."
The editor was softened. "I will think it over, and let you know in the course of the day."
"It is only reasonable," said Basil, "that you should have time for consideration."
The subject was dropped. The editor consulted his wife, who was genuinely sorry at the prospect of losing Basil.
"I looked upon him as one of the family," she said, "and it will almost break Edith's heart to part with him." Then, with a woman's shrewd wit, she added, "Let us try what Edith can do to persuade him out of his resolution."
Away went Edith half an hour afterwards to seek Basil and argue with him. She found him in the churchyard, standing by the grave of the baby angel.
"Mother says you are going away," said the child.
"Yes, my dear," said Basil. "I am very, very sorry."
"Oh! how I shall miss you," said Edith, the tears springing to her eyes. "Won't you stay if I ask you?"
"I cannot, dear child. Dry your eyes. We shall meet again by-and-by."
She put her handkerchief to her eyes but her tears flowed fast, and she sat by the grave and sobbed as if her heart was breaking.
"Listen to me, Edith," said Basil, sitting beside her and taking her hand. "If baby angel was a long, long way from here, and was in trouble and cried for you to come to her, would you not go to help her?"
"Yes, I would, I would; and they would take me to her."
"I am sure they would, for you have good parents my dear. You told me when I first met you here that I had an angel, and that you were glad. Edith, my dear, my angel is calling to me to come and help her in her trouble. Would it not be very wrong for me to say, 'No, I will not come; I do not care for your trouble?'"
"Yes, dear, it would be wicked, and I should not deserve your love if I acted so. When I first saw her she was a little girl like you; you reminded me of her, and I loved you because of that, and loved you better afterwards because of yourself. I shall always love you, Edith; I shall never, never forget you."