yet somehow I can't help
feeling a bit anxious about her. She must either mend afore long, or
break down altogether. I should very much like her to open her heart
and her trouble to yourself, sir; for I'm sure it would do her good. I
know it all myself, of course; but then I've promised her to be as close
as wax, and never to talk about it to a soul without she gives me leave.
And her Saviour knows it all, too. She goes with it regular to him;
but still she brings back some of it with her each time. She don't mean
it; but it's more nor flesh and blood is equal to, to leave it entirely
to him. Now, I do believe, if she would just tell you all, or let me
tell it you before her, it would help to lighten her heart and ease her
mind. She knows, indeed--as of course every true Christian knows from
his Bible--that no mortal man, be he who he may, can do for her what the
blessed Saviour only can do; but I am sure that it will make your words,
your counsels, and your prayers more precious and profitable to her when
she feels that her pastor knows her great sorrow, and can join with her
in taking it to the throne of grace, and pleading for light and
guidance, and a way out of it too, if the Lord will."

"I quite agree with you, Thomas," said Mr Maltby. "At present I can
give her only general words of advice and comfort, and can only pray for
her about her sorrow in a general way; but if she sees it to be right,
and can bear to confide the story of her trial to me, I shall then be
able to assist her in grasping with an increasing faith those `exceeding
great and precious promises' which will be specially applicable to her
case, and may meet any peculiar circumstances connected with her
affliction."

"Thank you, sir, most kindly," said the other. "I think I have nearly
persuaded her to let me tell you all; and I believe it will be best done
before herself, for then one telling will do for all, and she will be
able to put in a word here and there to make all clear."

"Just so, Thomas," said the vicar. "I can easily understand that when
once she has broken through her reserve with me, or suffered you to
break through it for her, she will be able better to bear the full
disclosure, from having part of the weight already removed from her
heart."

"That's just my view," said Bradly, "and I've told her so more than
once. I'm sure she'll feel lighter in her heart when once she has fully
made up her mind that you shall know