ESUS and MARY for
strength and patience in her desolation, for she thought that she was
forsaken by all earthly love--but not friendship, because she saw May
kneeling a little way off saying her rosary.

"A drop of water, dear May," she said.

May started as the clear, liquid tones of that voice, so long silent,
fell upon her ear, and hastened to give her wine-and-water, which the
doctor had ordered.

"How kind in you, May, to forgive me so entirely," she said, gently.

"Hush, dearest Helen! Do not speak. We are so anxious for your
recovery, that we do not wish to hear the sound of your voice," said
May, leaning over to kiss her forehead.

"_We_, May! Who?"

"_We_!" said May, pointing to Jerrold, who at that moment had entered
the room, stepping so softly, that he was almost beside her before she
saw him. Neither of them spoke; but after a long, earnest look into
Helen's eyes, which were now lifted with a clear and unclouded, but
humble expression to his, he stooped over and kissed her, while he
murmured comforting words of forgiveness, and regret for his harshness.

"No more secrets, Walter," she said, in a calm, low voice.

"No, Helen. Together we will seek the Kingdom of Heaven--that kingdom
of which I heard strange truths at the 'Mission.' We will be united
from henceforth in soul, body, and estate."

"Come away now," said May, wiping away the fast falling tears; "she
must not be agitated."

"And _you_, most determined little woman," said Mr. Jerrold, going away
from the bedside, "have left me no rest. You have preached to me in
actions of Faith, Hope, and Charity, ever since I first knew you.
Doctrinal arguments I should have regarded as mere priestly sophisms if
I had never known you--our good genius."

"Oh, Mr. Jerrold," said May, deeply wounded in her humility, "the grace
of our powerful God needed no such poor instrument as I. His ways and
designs are wonderful, and the operations of his divine mercy past all
human comprehension. Give him the glory for evermore!"

CHAPTER XIX.

CONCLUSION.

Mr. Fielding was alone in his office. Perched on a high stool, with
spectacles on his nose, pouring over Blackstone's views on certain
questions of equity, sat the lawyer at his desk, with a look of wisdom
supernal. The door opened, but it did not disturb him.

"Good morning, Mr. Fielding!" said a small voice, somewhere below him.

"I am engaged!" he growled.

"But I have come on legal