A burning and a shining light! May we like him be found watching in that day, with our lamps trimmed and our loins girded!" For the moment I was too surprised to speak, and the kind old man led me into the passage, seeing how pale and faint I was.

He belonged, like his master, and a great part of their business, to a simple religious persuasion, or faith, which now is very seldom heard of.
"It was just in this way," he said, as soon as tears had enabled me to speak--for even at the first sight I had felt affection toward my new guardian.

"Our master is a very punctual man, for five-and-thirty years never late--never late once till this morning.

Excuse me, miss, I ought to be ashamed.

The Lord knoweth what is best for us.