he too burst into natural tears, and Eric pressed his hand,
with more than a brother's fondness, to his heart.

"O Eddy, Eddy, my heart is full," he said, "too full to speak to you.
Let me read to you," and with his arm round Russell's neck, he sat down
beside his pillow, and read to him about the "pure river of water of
life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the
Lamb." At first sobs choked his voice, but it gathered firmness as he
went on.

"In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was
there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded
her fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing
of the nations.

"And there shall be no more curse,"--and here the reader's musical voice
rose into deeper and steadier sweetness--"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 they shall see his face," murmured Russell, "_and they shall see
his face_." Eric paused and looked at him; a sort of rapture seemed to
be lighted in his eyes, as though they saw heavenly things, and his
countenance was like an angel's to look upon. Eric closed the book
reverently, and gazed.

"And now pray for me, Eric, will you?" Eric knelt down, but no prayer
would come; his breast swelled, and his heart beat fast, but emotion
prevented him from uttering a word. But Russell laid his hand on his
head and prayed.

"O gracious Lord God, look down, merciful Father, on us, two erring,
weak, sinful boys; look down and bless us, Lord, for the love Thou
bearest unto Thy children. One Thou art taking; Lord, take me to the
green pastures of Thy home, where no curse is; and one remains--O Lord
bless him with the dew of Thy blessing; lead and guide him, and keep him
for ever in Thy fear and love, that he may continue Thine for ever, and
hereafter we may meet together among the redeemed, in the immortal glory
of the resurrection. Hear us, O Father, for Thy dear Son's sake. Amen!
Amen!"

The childlike, holy, reverent voice ceased, and Eric rose. One long
brotherly kiss he printed on Russell's forehead, and, full of sorrowful
forebodings, bade him good-night.

He asked Dr Underhay whether his fears were correct. "Yes," he said,
"he may die at any time; he _must_ die soon. It is even best that he
should; besides the loss of a limb, that blow o