I waited silently for an explanation.  Presently, she said that her mamma had forbidden her to go to “such wild meetings,” but that her father had asked her to walk with him under a wall in the garden, there they could and did hear every word; and she added, “I think papa has found peace—­he is so very happy’.”

“And have not you also?” I asked.

“Ah,” she replied, “I wish I could.”

The more I talked with her, the more convinced I felt she was in earnest, but that something stood in the way.  She said she did not know what it was—­that she really wished for salvation, and was willing to give up everything.  I said, “Do you think your mother would let you return with us on a short visit?  We are just going back to Baldhu.”

She said, “Mamma is not at home:  she has gone away for three days; but I think papa would let me go.  Shall I ask him?”

She did; and soon returned, saying that she might do so if we could promise to bring her back in two days.  This being settled, she hastened to get her things ready, and sent her maid to fetch home the pet kid, which she bade her take great care of during her absence:  then we set off.

On arriving at our house she went straight to her bedroom, and there on her knees implored God’s mercy, and remained pleading and praying for five hours, before she found peace.  Then she came down among us, rejoicing in the Lord.  That evening she spent at the meeting, and the next day in visiting among the cottages.  On the third day, after a happy visit, we took her home to her father, rejoicing in the liberty of the children of God.

Her mother returned the day after, and when she was told of the change in her husband and her daughter Lucy, she became exceedingly angry, and wrote, not to thank, but to forbid us the house; also prohibiting further intercourse.  At the same time she declared her intention to get all that nonsense out of her daughter’s head as soon as possible.  She dragged this poor girl out to parties and amusements of every kind, against her will, which had the effect of making her dislike them the more, and caused her to cleave steadfastly to the Lord in prayer.

Six months later, she was taken ill, and after a few weeks’ suffering she died, rejoicing that her sins were pardoned, and that she was going home.  It was evident that God would not trust that mother with a daughter whose soul she was determined to injure.  He took His child away to Himself.

2.  Rose-in-vale

The open-air preaching at Perran led to many similar services there, and at other places.  I will tell of two only, to prevent sameness, and for fear of tiring the reader.