"Ay, so I was," Mr. Blackmore said, as the other broke off as though hardly able to explain his meaning, "sure of the Saviour—sure that He would keep His promise, 'Him that cometh to Me I will in nowise cast out.' I believe, Berryman, that in those last brief hours of her life, your mother turned to Him, and that He was with her as she passed through the valley of the shadow of death." The two men had by now strolled to the garden gate. As John Berryman opened it he said in a voice which trembled with emotion:
"I believe it, too."
A few minutes later he had taken leave of Mr. Blackmore and was walking towards Gladstone Street. Arrived at the Browns' house, he was met at the door by Melina, who put her arms around his neck and, drawing his face down to hers, kissed him. Already there was an affection between father and daughter which was rapidly growing stronger.
"I'm keeping house alone," she explained; "I would not go out with Agnes and her mother because I thought you might come this afternoon, father. You know I did not see you yesterday all day."
"All day?" He repeated the words with a smile. "Were you disappointed, then?" he inquired, as he followed her into the parlour.
"Yes," she assented, "indeed I was."
John Berryman sat down, and his little daughter took a chair near him, her eyes fixed on his face—a face with strongly marked features, and an expression of straightforwardness about it which made it very attractive. For a few minutes there was silence, then Melina said:
"I went to Jubilee Terrace yesterday, and had a look at No. 2. What a good thing it was the fire was put out before it reached the roof! But oh, father, I'm sorry all the furniture was burnt, for it would have been yours now Gran is dead, wouldn't it?"
"Yes; but it was of little value."
"The only thing I mind having lost was my Bible," said the little girl, "and I do mind very much about that. It was mother's Bible, you know, and I might have saved it if I had thought of it, but I was too frightened to think at all. And oh, father, I forgot to tell you that Gran had a lot of money in her bedroom chimney—"