"Don't give yourself uneasiness on that account, Paul. My sister and I have enough to enable us to enjoy the luxury of giving to our friends. You look surprised; did you never hear that we inherited half a million between us?"
"Never; but I rejoice to hear it. Ger—I mean your sister," coughing in great confusion, "will enjoy having money to do good with. I am heartily glad; and shall feel more at ease. I have already lived much longer than I expected; and I began to feel I ought to go away and relieve you from the burden you so generously assumed."
"Mrs. Wallingford will give you due notice when she wishes you to change your quarters," the brother answered, smiling:
"I have not seen her to-day."
"She left a message for you, which I might have forgotten. She has gone with an English nobleman we have met here, to see some ancient ruins, and is intending to read to you on her return."
When she entered the chamber he was alone; and she instantly rang the bell for Pedro, who was sunning himself on the portico.
The occurrence was significant to the sick man; but with a sigh, trying to put aside all useless regrets he held up the Testament she had left him; and pointing to the page, said eagerly:
"I have found the rule which actuates you," reading aloud. "'Be not overcome of evil; but overcome evil with good.' 'Recompense to no man evil for evil.'"
"And this too is what you have done! 'Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called that ye should inherit a blessing.'"
There was something in his expression as he glanced from the book with a smile which carried her back so forcibly to other days, that for a moment she was overcome. Covering her face the tears flowed freely down her cheeks.