The old nurse knew that the death-blow had been struck, and that all hope and desire of life had departed from the mind of the sufferer. Guy's Bible was studied in secret, and justified its priceless value, affording comfort and satisfaction beyond language to express, when the Eternal Spirit fulfils His enlightening office, and takes "of the things of Jesus, and shows them" to the sinner's heart. They alone can fill the sore gap bleeding from the wrenching away of earthly happiness, and they alone abound in blessed hopes which cannot be disappointed; and they alone, of all the favours man has ever heard of, are limited by no conditions, bounded by no exhaustion: "Whosoever will, let him take."
As long as there is the cry "I need"—the answer from heaven is "I supply." And this between man and God, through the God-man only, independent of pope or priest, form or ceremony, mass or sacrament, Mary or Peter, confession to, or absolution from, any man on earth.
Pressed almost to despair at the condition of her mistress, Phœbe resolved to overcome her reluctance to any conversation with the confessor, and to try if he could be moved to pity.
"Please, sar," she began in her meekest tone and manner, "dear young missy be dying since heart-break. Might do her good to know when massa be tried, and when she see him again."
"I cannot tell her. I have no power in such matters," replied he, blandly.
"P'raps him be so good to find out? Dey do anyting the priest please to say."
"You mistake, daughter. The priest's power is altogether spiritual, and I am ready to exercise it on your behalf, for I find that you are a Christian, and yet have never sought me for confession."
Phœbe winced, and with difficulty repressed the words which rushed to her lips; but she wanted to serve her mistress, and persevered.
"Would de priest please see massa Count in him prison, and tell poor missy 'bout him? Dey let him confess, sure?"
"He refuses to confess, he is a heretic, and it would add the last drop to the sorrow of the Countess, as a daughter of the Church, to hear that he abjures the faith."