Ramona online

her, saved her child? What else now remained for them, these words
having been spoken? "I will be your wife, dear Felipe," she said,
speaking solemnly, slowly, "if you are sure it will make you happy, and
if you think it is right."

"Right!" ejaculated Felipe, mad with the joy unlooked for so soon.
"Nothing else would be right! My Ramona, I will love you so, you will
forget you ever said that part of you was dead!"

A strange look which startled Felipe swept across Ramona's face; it
might have been a moonbeam. It passed. Felipe never saw it again.

General Moreno's name was still held in warm remembrance in the city of
Mexico, and Felipe found himself at once among friends. On the day after
their arrival he and Ramona were married in the cathedral, old Marda
and Juan Can, with his crutches, kneeling in proud joy behind them.
The story of the romance of their lives, being widely rumored, greatly
enhanced the interest with which they were welcomed. The beautiful young
Senora Moreno was the theme of the city; and Felipe's bosom thrilled
with pride to see the gentle dignity of demeanor by which she was
distinguished in all assemblages. It was indeed a new world, a new life.
Ramona might well doubt her own identity. But undying memories stood
like sentinels in her breast. When the notes of doves, calling to each
other, fell on her ear, her eyes sought the sky, and she heard a voice
saying, "Majella!" This was the only secret her loyal, loving heart had
kept from Felipe. A loyal, loving heart indeed it was, - loyal, loving,
serene. Few husbands so blest as the Senor Felipe Moreno.

Sons and daughters came to bear his name. The daughters were all
beautiful; but the most beautiful of them all, and, it was said, the
most beloved by both father and mother, was the eldest one: the one
who bore the mother's name, and was only step-daughter to the
Senor, - Ramona, - Ramona, daughter of Alessandro the Indian.