Roger strove to cheer her, and to point to the happy future that he trusted was in store for them—­if not on earth, yet assuredly in a better world, where faithful hearts will never know the misery of parting.  But it was not until he had knelt with her in prayer, and had humbly asked to meet the coming trial, and to be sanctified by it, that her tears ceased to flow, and a smile of hope and resignation illumined her interesting countenance.

‘I must act now, Roger,’ she said, in a cheerful voice, as she rose from her knees.  ’Our time is short; and I must make such arrangements for your comfort during your journey as are in my power.  All other things that are needful to you I will endeavor to send by sea to Plymouth; or, if no opportunity occurs during the winter, you must have patience until I can convey them myself.’

Her voice again trembled; and unbidden tears again rose to her eyes.  But she sought relief in occupation; and on the day after the morrow, when Roger was to commence his toilsome journey at break of day, his knapsack was ready, and stored with everything that would be most requisite to his comfort.

The moment of parting came; but we will not describe it.  It was borne by Edith as a devoted Christian wife can bear anything that is necessary for the safety and welfare of her husband.  But when he was gone, and her swimming eyes could no longer see his beloved form, or catch his last signal of farewell, the whole desolation of her own position burst upon her:  and Edith was, for a time, bowed down with grief.  She felt herself alone in the world, and she shrank from seeking comfort or sympathy from any human being who was then near her.  But friends whom she could not then expect to see were near, and the wounded heart found a balm and a consolation beyond its hopes.

The very evening after Roger’s departure, Edith’s spirit was cheered by the arrival of Elliot and his wife at her now dreary home.  O, how she welcomed them! and how deeply they sympathized in her distress and anxiety!  They had heard of the last summons that had been sent from the General Assembly; and had hastened to Salem, in spite of the severity of the weather to offer any assistance or counsel that might be needed by either Roger or Edith.  They rejoiced, with much thankfulness, when they heard of his having escaped the cruel vengeance of his adversaries; but their minds were filled with fear and anxiety, when they reflected on the many perils that he might encounter on his long journey, and the sufferings from cold, and hunger, and fatigue, that he must endure in his present debilitated state of health.  They did not, however, add to Edith’s anxiety by telling of their own, but exerted themselves to cheer and rouse her, and lead her to place a perfect trust in the over-ruling care of Him, without whose permission not even a sparrow can fall to the ground.