GOOD FOR EVIL.
FOR some days, the sick man continued in a convalescent condition. He enjoyed his food, partaking heartily of whatever was brought him; coughed but little, and was evidently much stronger than when they found him, in his wretched garret. Every morning Gertrude went in to read to him and had once sung the beautiful hymn commencing:
"Just as I am, without one plea,
But that thy blood was shed for me,
And that thou bid'st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come!"
This sentiment of the author deeply affected the invalid, who did not speak for some time after her voice ceased. Gertrude longed to ask him why he delayed to throw himself upon the mercy of Christ; but she saw the Holy Spirit was working on his heart; and she trembled lest an untimely word should do harm.
Edward, also, was unwearied in his attention to his old classmate; though each of them had, as if by tacit consent, avoided all reference to their former intimacy.
When they were alone Paul could not refrain from speaking of Gertrude, though every word seemed to rend his heart asunder.
"She says she forgives me; but how can she? You saw how I neglected her for others, whose attractions were nothing in comparison to hers, but you never suspected one half the torture to which I subjected her. Not that such was my intention; but I had been taught at home that all women were inferiors. Mother and sisters always yielded to me. I was moody and irritable, often giving her a harsh word, when I ought to have been most considerate and kind."