Among them was Mr.Allison, one of those wise old men whose minds grow not dim with advancing years.
He had passed through many trying vicissitudes, had suffered, and come up from the ordeal purer than when the fire laid hold upon the dross of nature.
A wise monitor had he been in Markland's brighter days, and now he drew near as a comforter.

There is strength in true words kindly spoken.

How often was this proved by Mr.and Mrs.Markland, as their venerable friend unlocked for them treasures of wisdom! The little parlour at "Lawn Cottage," the name of their new home, soon became the scene of frequent reunions among choice spirits, whose aspirations went higher and deeper than the external and visible.

In closing around Mr.Markland, they seemed to shut him out, as it were, from the old world in which he had hoped, and suffered, and struggled so vainly; and to open before his purer vision a world of higher beauty.

In this world were riches for the toiler, and honour for the noble--riches and honour far more to be desired than the gems and gold of earth or its empty tributes of praise.
A few months of this new life wrought a wonderful change in Markland.