future could not bloom, but her life had ceased already to move in its own proper orbit.
There are stars which circle in solitude along undefined orbits, till swept away by more powerful planets they go farther, either around them or with them.
Something similar had happened to Helena.
A stronger will had attracted a weaker. Helena met Yosef on her track, and thenceforward she travelled in his course.
The knowledge of this made her more peaceful. "Oh, if he wishes I shall be happy," thought she, more than once.
She had unbounded belief, not only in Yosef's character, but in his strength. So the last shadow vanished from her soul; alarm disappeared, that indefinite fear of the future which she could not dismiss till the moment of Yosef's declaration, this fear which tortured her like a reproach of conscience.
Her head was full of imaginings. With a song on her lips she made preparations for marriage, amusing herself like a child with every detail of dress. Notwithstanding her widowhood she wished to wear a white dress, which would also please Yosef. Regaining cheerfulness, she regained her health also;
