But even as I found the ring, I felt Claire’s loss. And, delighted as I was, I knew she would have enjoyed my discovery more. God’s will was what she would have seen, while I credited the melting snow. What would have been a miracle for her was for me a change in weather. If I had starved in winter or frozen on the ice—even then, this ring would have revealed itself, glinting in the sun without me. Auguste would have understood this. We might have talked of miracles and happenstance. But I was left to ponder. In my experience, God’s work was unexpected. His grace required interpreting.
