Sophy drew a deep sigh. "If I had only you beside me to teach me to pray—"
"There is One who can teach you better, far better than any mortal can," said Persis, whose ear had caught the last words; "say, as the disciples said—'Lord, teach me to pray;' and with David, 'create in me a clean heart, oh God! and renew a right spirit within me!' * It is the Holy Spirit who guides back our wandering feet, who leads us to the merciful Saviour, who bids us look up to Him who was wounded for our transgressions, and in the thought of His perfect sacrifice, His boundless pity and love, find rest for our aching hearts, hope for our trembling souls."
* Psalm li.10.
[CHAPTER VII.]
THE RETURN.
"I am very thankful that I have seen my poor Sophy," said Norah Peele, as she stood with Persis by the high road, waiting for the coach which would take them back to the village. "But oh! Miss Meade, even if Sophy have the comfort of religion, if she have hope in the forgiveness and loving-kindness of God, what a dreary, dreary look out she has as regards this life! Why," continued Norah, quite appalled at the prospect, "she may have forty, fifty, sixty years of blindness in the workhouse before her, she who was so blithe and so busy. How dreadfully dull she will be! How heavily time will hang on her hands!"
"I have been thinking of that," replied Persis, while the two walked briskly up and down to keep themselves warm. "I remember that Mrs. Lane (I taught her children, you know), took great interest in a London asylum for the blind. In this asylum they are taught many useful arts by which they can earn an honest livelihood, notwithstanding their sad affliction."
"Oh! If we could but get Sophy there!" cried Norah. "She is so quick, so clever, so neat-fingered, she would learn if any one could!"
"I will go to Mrs. Lane to-morrow," said Persis, "and see if she be able to help us. I believe that Mr. Lane is a liberal subscriber, and I can answer for the kindness of his lady."
"How delightful it would be!" exclaimed Norah. "Why, why did you not cheer poor Sophy with the hope?"