I bade him lay her down gently, and then applied the necessary remedies, and, to my great relief, my patient presently revived.  It was touching to see the weak hand trying to feel for her husband; as it came into contact with the rough coat-sleeve, a smile came upon the death-like face.

‘It is Andrew himself,’ she whispered; ’I feared it was naught but a dream, mother; it is Andrew’s own self, and he is looking well and hearty.  Ay, lad,’ with a loving look at him, ’I could not have died in peace till I had seen you again; and now God’s will be done, for He has been good to me and granted me my heart’s desire.’

Poor Marshall looked weary and travel-stained, so I beckoned Peggy out of the room, and with her help there was soon a comfortable meal on the table,—­part of the meat-pie that was left from the children’s dinner, a round or two of hot toast, and a cup of smoking coffee.

The poor man looked a little bewildered when he saw these preparations for his comfort, and he wiped his eyes again with his rough coat-sleeve.

’I have been so long without wife or child that I can’t make it out to see them all flocking round me again.  There is Tim a man almost.  Well, I have been tramping it since five this morning, and I am nearly ready to drop; so thank you kindly, missis, and with your leave I will fall to.’

When I returned to Mary I found her looking wonderfully revived and cheerful.

’Isn’t it grand to think that the Lord has let me have my own way about seeing Andrew?’ she said, with a smile:  ’he will be here now, poor lad, to see the last of me and look after the children.  Now, you must not let me keep you, Miss Garston, for Andrew is that handy he can nurse as well as mother there before she lost her eyesight.  I have been a deal of trouble to you, and now you must go home and rest.’

I was glad to be set at liberty, for I hoped that I might be in time to attend evening service; but just as I had finished tea, and was trying to think that I was not so very tired, and that it would not be wiser to stay at home, the outer door unlatched, and the next moment there was a quick tap at the parlour door, and Lady Betty bustled in, looking very rosy from the cold.

‘Oh, I can’t stop a moment,’ she said breathlessly; ’I have given Etta the slip, and in five minutes she will be looking for me; but I took it in my head to ask you to go and see Gladys.  She is in her room with a cold, and looks dreadfully dull, and I know it will do her so much good if you will go and talk to her.  Giles is out, and every one else, so no one will disturb you:  so do go, there’s a good soul.’  And actually before I could answer, the impetuous little creature had shut the door in my face, and I could hear her running down the garden path.