iumph over those who, for the good
of your soul, have hitherto marred your worldly joys. Is it thus
that you hope to win that crown of everlasting life which you have
been taught to regard as the one thing worthy of a Christian's
struggles? Is it not true that, since that wretched day on which you
were taken away from me, you have allowed your mind to pass from
thoughts of eternity to longings after vain joys in this bitter,
fruitless vale of tears? If that be so, can he who has so encouraged
you have been good to you? Do you remember David's words; "Some
trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name
of the Lord our God"? And then, again; "They are brought down and
fallen; but we are risen and stand upright." Ask yourself whether
you have stood upright or have fallen, since you left your father's
house; whether you have trusted in the Lord your God, or in horses
and chariots,--that is, in the vain comforts of an easy life? If it
be so, can it be for your good that you have left your father's
house? And should you not accept this scourge that has fallen upon
you as a healing balm from the hands of the Lord?

'My child, I have no other answer to send you. That I love you till
my very bowels yearn after you is most true. But I cannot profess to
believe a lie, or declare that to be good which I know to be evil.

'May the Lord bless you, and turn your feet aright, and restore you
to your loving mother,

'Mary Bolton.'

When Hester read this she was almost crushed. The delay since the new
tidings had come to her had not, in truth, been very great. It was not
yet quite a month since Shand had been at Folking, and a shorter period
since the discoveries of Bagwax had been explained to her. But the days
seemed to her to be very long; and day after day she thought that on
that day at least the news of his promised release would be brought to
her. And now, instead of these news, there came this letter from her
mother, harder almost in its words than any words which had hitherto
been either written or spoken in the matter. Even when all the world
should have declared him innocent,--when the Queen, and the great
officer of State, and that stern judge, should have said that he was
innocent,--even then her cruel mother would refuse to receive him! She
had been invited to ask herself certain questions as to the state o