"O, my son," said Arnold, placing one hand upon the shoulder of his child, "if you knew how good the Lord is!"
"O, yes, dear papa," said Erard; "God is good—since he has preserved you."
"And he has also preserved Theobald," added the father.
"Theobald, papa!--the cavalier who was dead! and whom grandpapa, by the goodness of God restored! Do you know him?"
Erard looked at Ethbert, as if to know whether he might continue; and his father, who saw this look, said to him, "Yes, dear child—I know him; and I know that God has confided him to our care. O, Erard, remember that even an enemy has a claim on our love."
"Yes, dear papa," continued the child, "and, like the good Samaritan, we should love him and bind up his wounds. Papa, that is what grandpapa did the other night, in the wood. O, if you knew how afraid I was at first! Think, papa—a dead man!--blood!
"But now this chevalier is so good to me! I have just been to see him with Matthew; and he wept as he embraced me."
"Theobald wept, and embraced you, my son!" asked the father.
Erard. Yes, dear papa; and even said to me, placing his hand on my head, "May the God of thy father bless thee, and make thee resemble him!"
Arnold, (much affected.) Erard, did he say that to you?