“And oh, what an eternity of joy and bliss, forever freed from sin and suffering, near and like our Lord, altogether pleasing in his sight, no doubts, no fears, the battle fought, the victory won.  ’And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve him; and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.  And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign for ever and ever!’”

“Yes, my darling; blessed be his holy name for the many great and precious promises of his word, and I have not a doubt of your full preparation for either event; but oh, that it may please him to spare you to me as the light, comfort, joy of my remaining days!  Yet should it please him to take you to himself—­ah, I cannot, dare not allow myself to contemplate so terrible a bereavement,” he added, in low anguished accents, as he bent over her, softly smoothing her hair with tenderly caressing touch.

“Then do not, dear father,” she said, lifting to his eyes full of ardent love and sympathy; “try to leave it all with the dear Master, and he will fulfil to you his precious promise, ’As thy days, so shall thy strength be.’  Has it not ever been the testimony of all his saints concerning his precious promises that not one faileth?”

“Yes,” he said, “and so will it ever be.  By his grace I will trust and not be afraid for you, my beloved child; nor for myself, his most unworthy servant.”

Then with an upward glance, “‘Lord increase our faith.’  Oh, help us each to trust in thee and not to be afraid, be the way ever so dark and dreary, remembering thy gracious promise, ’I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in anywise forsake thee.’”

“Sweet, sweet words, papa,” she said, low and tremulously, lifting to his eyes full of glad, grateful tears.

“And those others, ’When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.  For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.’

“Oh, what more could I ask? what have I to do with doubt or fear, since he is mine and I am his?”

“Only the physical pain,” he said, low and tenderly; “and Arthur tells me that with the help of anaesthetics there will be little or none of that during the operation, but——­”

“What may come afterward can be easily borne, dear papa,” she said, as he paused, overcome by emotion.

“My dear, brave darling! a more patient, resigned sufferer never lived!” was his moved, though low-breathed, exclamation.

A moment’s silence fell between them, he leaning over and caressing her with exceeding tenderness; then, “Papa,” she said, with a loving look up into his eyes, “I cannot bear to see you so distressed.  Arthur holds out strong hope of cure, of speedy and entire recovery; and we may be spared to each other for many years if the will of God be so; but—­surely it is my wisest plan to prepare for every possibility.