When we came to the cross-road where we were to leave each other, he said, "Do you, Sir, remain at Fairmount much longer?"
"Yes, Sir, for some weeks."
"I should like another interview, if I may be permitted to solicit such a favour."
We engaged to meet on the following Saturday evening, but we were prevented. Towards the latter end of the ensuing week, I received the subjoined note from him, which was brought by Captain Dunlop's gardener, who informed us that his master was just dead:—
"Dear Sir,—Before you receive this, I shall have left. What a contrast have I witnessed between the cottage and the mansion! What I have seen and heard during this visit will never pass from my memory. If I could believe in the efficacy of prayer, I should say, pray for me. We may never meet again, but should the Bible ever be in later life as precious to me as it was before infidelity corrupted my heart, you shall hear from me.—Yours faithfully,
"George Tennent."
We had heard of the Captain's illness, at whose mansion Mr. Tennent had been on a visit; but the announcement of his death startled and depressed us.
"Why, gardener, your master's death has been very sudden."
"Yes, Sir, he wasn't ill more than five days."
"What was the nature of his disease?"