Gottfried, (with solemnity.) Theobald, these two blind men are now with me; they knew, last evening, who was the chevalier brought here from the forest, and they have already prayed God for you many times!  They have even asked Ethbert to assure you of their sincere love, before God their Saviour.

Theobald.  O, withdraw from me!—­leave me!  I am stained with blood!  God of heaven, how severely hast thou punished me!

Arnold.  Is that to say, Theobald, that you believe us to be better and more charitable than God?  Rash and blind man that you are!  You see, that, by his grace in our hearts, we can forget and forgive an injury—­an offence; and through the same grace of the same God, show mercy and love to our enemies,—­you see that, you are affected by it, you admire it; then, when you look towards that God who teaches his children to be charitable or merciful, you see only an angry Judge—­an implacable avenger—­an enemy, about to strike you!  Theobald, do you comprehend your mistake?

“But, Arnold,” resumed Theobald, with humility, “by what right, wicked as I am, can I ask God to pardon me?”

“By the right,” replied Gottfried, taking from among his books a Bible, which he placed on Theobald’s bed, “yes, by the right that every man, every sinner has, who reads and believes the word of God, to receive its precious invitations and promises.”

Theobald, (laying his hand on the Bible.) Tell me, my friends, is it by reading and believing this Bible that you learned to love your enemies?

Gottfried and Arnold, (together.) Yes, Theobald.

Theobald.  I will then read it also; and, if God enables me, I will believe it:  for, if men have called me the Iron-Hearted, I need now that God should soften my heart and make me his child—­his ransomed one; and that his Spirit should teach me, like you, my noble friends, to imitate Jesus, in pardoning injuries and loving those who hate me!

THE END.