In Hard Times, what hope does Dickens give concerning Gradgrind?

It is clear that by the end of the novel we see that
Gradgrind has undergone a 180 degree turn in terms of his beliefs and philosophy. Having
discovered that emotions are important and that facts are not the most important thing
in the world, Dickens gives us hope for the future of this character as he is left to
consider his mistakes in the way he brought up Tom and Louisa and the difficulties and
challenges that they face as a result. Note the mention that is made of Gradgrind in the
last chapter, which discusses the endings that the various characters
face:

Did he
see himself, a white-haired decrepit man, bending his hitherto inflexible theories to
appointed circumstances; making his facts and figures subservient to Faith, Hope and
Charity; and no longer trying to grind that Heavenly trio in his dusty little
mills?

The change is clear.
His "hiterto inflexible theories" are now bending to circumstances and his "facts and
figures," that once held such sway in his life, are now "subservient" to higher and more
noble emotions. He has obviously learnt the limitations of trusting in facts alone, and
although we are told that this change in character has resulted in his facing scorn from
his former political friends, we are assured that he is a happier man as a
result.