"Strength to bear is freely offered in forgiveness."
"May it come to me! In all God's earth to-night there dwells not one more needy of Heaven's mercy."
"Mary forgives you," I said.
"Bernard McKey, whom I have made most miserable, Lettie's life-long suffering, is there any atonement that I can offer to them?"
"Yes, Mr. Axtell"; and I, too, arose, for the party had gone whilst I was telling my story.
"Will you name it?"
"Give unto the two a brother's love. Good night, Mr. Axtell."
"I will," said a deep, solemn voice close beside me. I turned, and Mr. Axtell was gone. I heard footsteps all that night upon deck. They sounded like those that came and stood beside me hours before.
Day was scarcely breaking when we came to land in New York. I waited for the carriage to come from home. Mr. Axtell, was it he who came, with whitened hair, to ask for Miss Percival, to know if he could offer her any service? What a night of agony he must have lived through! He saw my look of astonishment, and said,—
"It is but the beginning of my punishment."