"If I have learned to be careful in judging others, to try and think and hope for the best, instead of the worst," he went on at last, "I acquired the lesson in a fearful school. That night, Arthur, my beloved, my only brother, was seized with delirium. He lived ten days; but the only opportunity to confess my injustice, to plead for his forgiveness, had passed. He raved day and night about my altered looks; he implored me by the love we used to bear each other to forgive him, if he had unintentionally offended; he called me by every endearing name; but not once did he recognise me."
"All this time, I never left him. I could neither eat nor sleep. My love to my pure, noble brother had revived with ten-fold strength; but conscience was aroused at last, and in a voice of thunder set my sins in order before me. I wept, I entreated him by every name that was tender, to live for my sake, to forgive my cruel suspicions. I was answered either by an unmeaning laugh, or a heart-rending cry for me to love him."
"The end came at last; came without one word to ease the anguish that gnawed at my heart. For four months, my reason fled; when I slowly recovered, I was in despair; but through the mercy of a crucified Redeemer, I learned at last to hope that even my sins might be washed away in atoning blood."
Not a sound could be heard except the sobs by which the scholars showed their sympathy with their teacher, and presently, in a broken voice, he asked God to teach them all, both instructors and scholars, to cultivate charity which is the bond of perfectness.
He had intended to speak of Frank and his sister, to express his own conviction of the lad's innocence of the charge laid to him; but his voice failed.
He sat down until they had passed out into the hall, concealing his face behind a book. He started to find a little hand pressed into his.
"Dear Mr. Monks," she said, choking back a sob, "I'm so sorry. I can't help loving Arthur dearly. I know Jesus forgave you."
He caught her in his arms; and blessed tears came to his relief.
"You did not need the lesson," he faltered, at last. "You did have charity for poor Frank."
"Oh, I knew he didn't take the chain! He isn't such a kind of boy. I'm almost sure now the scholars wont treat him unkindly any more. I'm sure they'll remember—"