-I who assisted
the devil to lead him to destruction--I who, had he been hanged, had
been, and have felt for years that I was, his executioner. Can I
forgive him! Can _he_ forgive _me_?"

"Mother, his time is short--I will come to you again, and tell you much
more. But if you knew how earnest he is to have your forgiveness before
he dies, you would at once send me away to him."

"Then go, my child--go, and may you often be sent on such kind missions!
Go, and tell my poor James that his mother forgives him--begs to be
forgiven--still dotes upon him--and God knows with how much pleasure
would die for him! Go quick, child--the sands of the glass run fast--
quick, child--the dying cannot wait--quick--quick!"

Nanny had risen from her stool and taken me by the arm; when we were
clear of the threshold she loosed me, and sank down to the earth,
whether overcome by her feelings, or in a state of insensibility, I did
not wait to ascertain--I fled to execute my mission before it was too
late.

In a few minutes I was at the hospital--breathless, it was true. I went
in, and found Spicer still alive, for his eyes turned to me. I went up
to him; the nurse, who was standing by him, told me he was speechless,
and would soon be gone. I told her I would remain with him, and she
went to the other patients. I gave him his mother's message, and he was
satisfied; he squeezed my hand, and a smile, which appeared to illumine
like a rainbow his usual dark and moody countenance, intimated hope and
joy; in a few seconds he was no more, but the smile continued on his
features after death.

I then returned to old Nanny, who, I found, had been put into bed by
some neighbours, and at her bedside was Mrs St. Felix, who had been
passing by and had observed her situation. She was now recovered and
quiet. As soon as they had left her I entered into a more full detail
of how I became acquainted with the circumstances which led to the
discovery. I did not conceal from her that it was her own son who had
attempted the robbery; and I wound up by stating that he had died, I
really believed, not only penitent, but happy from having received her
forgiveness.

"Jack--Jack--you have been as good as an angel to me, indeed you have.
It was you also who prevented my poor James from killing his mother--it
is you that have been the means of his making his peace with Heaven.
Bless you, Jack, bless you!"

CHAPTER FORTY SIX.

IN WHICH MRS. ST. F