he carpet, and blushed like a girl at
the recital of his praises. No words came to his assistance, but the
deep voice of his father relieved him from his embarrassment.

"It may be true what thou sayest, angel of the Lord," he said,
addressing Mr. Pownal, "thou who hast been even as a cloud by day, and
a pillar of fire by night, to guide the lad through the wilderness of
the world, but not the less are our thanks and eternal gratitude
due to thee as the chosen instrument to accomplish His will. May
the blessing of the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, of Him who
called unto Moses out of the burning bush, of Him who is the root and
the offspring of David, the bright and morning Star, rest and
abide with thee and thy house for ever. And thou, madam," he added,
approaching Mrs. Pownal with a dignity and grace that caused his
singular appearance to be quite overlooked, "how shall he, who is an
outcast no longer, thank thee?" He pressed his hand upon his heart, as
if to restrain its beating, then bending over and taking her hand into
his own, kissed it with the devotion of a devotee. "Blessed be thou
above women. The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble, and fulfill all
thy desire. Thou didst pity and shalt be pitied: thou wast merciful
and shalt receive mercy. 'Inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of
these little ones, ye did it unto me,' saith Christ."

"We are abundantly compensated, Mr. Holden," observed Mrs. Pownal,
feeling it incumbent to say something, and yet at a loss what to say.
"Mr. Pownal has expressed my feelings better than I can myself. But,
Thomas, you shall still be our son, for all these disclosures."

"Mother! mother!" cried Pownal, kneeling by her side, and kissing the
lips she offered to his, "you shall always be my dear mother, as long
as you permit me to call you so. Oh, how little have I known how
much I was indebted to you, and my second father. I have dreamed and
wondered, but the imagination still fell short of the truth."

"Thou hast received an obligation, my son," said Holden, "which
all thy love and devotedness can never repay, and the claims of thy
parents by kindness are stronger than mine. To me thou owest life,
to them its preservation and honorable station. Thou wilt give me the
love thou hast to spare, but to them belongs the greater portion."

"We will be content with equal parts," said Mr. Pownal, smiling. "In
this partnership of affection none must claim a superior share."