“Yes, I will bide. It is Doctor Kirke who has come to see you.”
“You have had a long and sore time of trouble and pain,” said the minister, gravely.
“Yes, but the worst is over now,” said Brownrig, his eyes still fixed on Allison’s half-averted face.
“Let us hope so,” said the old man, solemnly. “If the Lord’s dealing has been taken to heart and His lesson learned, the worst is over.”
But he had more to say than this. He was by no means sure that in his sense, or in any sense, the worst was over for this man, who had all his life sinned with a high hand, in the sight of his fellow-men, as well as in the sight of his Maker. His heart was full of pity, but he was one of those whose pity inclines them to be faithful rather than tender.
“Man, you have been a great sinner all your days,” he said, slowly and solemnly. Many changes passed over the face of Brownrig as the minister went on, but he never removed his eyes from the face of Allison, nor loosened his firm clasp of her hand.
Faithful! Yes, but yet tender. How full of pity and of entreaty was the old man’s voice when he spoke of One who, hating sin, yet loves the sinner; One who is slow to anger, full of compassion and of great mercy, not willing that any should perish, but that all, even the worst, should come unto Him and live.
“And, O man! ye need Him no less, that you may be going back to your life again. The Lord could do wonderful things for the like of you, if ye would but let Him have His will o’ ye. Able! ay, is He, and willing as able, and surely He has given you a sign. Look at this woman against whom, it is said, ye woefully sinned! If she, who is but a weak and sinful mortal, has forgiven you, and is caring for you, and would save you, how can there be doubt of Him who gave His life a ransom for you?”
A glance at Allison’s face stayed his words. Then he knelt down and prayed—not in many words—not as if entreating One offended or angry, but One waiting, looking, listening, loving; One “mighty to save.” And then he rose and touched the hand of each, and went silently away.
Had Brownrig fallen asleep? Allison slowly turned her face toward him. He lay with closed eyes, motionless, and there were tears on his cheeks. As Allison tried gently to withdraw her hand from his clasp his eyes opened.