on the other hand , however , and although hed never imagine it could happen to him , to a man strong and wise enough to be able to rule his heart as strictly as he did his kingdom , the thought of seeing again his sons pretty face , of hearing his crystalline laughter and holding him in his arms as when he were a rosy , blue-eyed , sweet-smelling babe , filled him with such an unexpected swell of fatherly love , his old eyes filled with tears .