orgive you; and all the angels in heaven
will glorify Him for His mercy.'

'Anne,' he answered, fixing on her a look of despair, 'I cannot. My
heart is hard and heavy; I remember when it used to feel and care about
these things; but it is dead now, and my soul is lost for ever. Anne,
even if Jesus is willing to pardon me, I cannot believe in forgiveness.'

Miss Anne sank down by the bedside, unable to answer him, save by a
prayer, half aloud, to God for His mercy to be shown to him, if it were
possible! He lay there, helpless and hopeless, tossing to and fro upon
the pillows. At last he spoke again, in a sharp, clear, energetic tone.

'Anne, be quick!' he said; 'find me my will among those papers. Perhaps
if I could do something, I might be able to believe.'

He watched her with impatient eagerness as she turned over the precious
parcel of papers which he had rescued from the fire. There were many
documents and writings belonging to the property he had gathered
together, and it was some time before she could find the will. The
master tried to take it from her, but in vain; his right hand was
powerless.

'Oh, I forgot!' he cried despairingly; 'this hand is useless, and I
cannot alter it now. God will not let me undo the mischief I have done.
Anne, I have left Fern's Hollow away from you to my brother Thomas, lest
you should restore it to Stephen; and now I can do nothing! Oh, misery,
misery! The robbery and murder of the fatherless children rest upon my
soul. Send quickly, Anne, send for Stephen Fern.'

Miss Anne sent a messenger to hasten Stephen; and after that the master
lay perfectly still, with closed eyes, as if he were treasuring up the
little strength remaining to him. The last sunset was over, and the
night-lamp was lighted once more; while Miss Anne sat beside him
watching, in an agony of prayer to God. There was no sound to be heard,
for every one in the house knew that the old man was dying, and they
kept a profound quietness throughout all the rooms. He had taken no
notice of anything since he asked for Stephen; but when a light rap was
heard at the door he opened his eyes, and turned his grey head round
anxiously to see whether he was come.

It was Stephen. He stood within the doorway, not liking to enter
farther, but looking straight forward at the master with a very pale and
sorrowful face, upon which there was no trace of triumph or hatred. Miss
Anne gazed earnestly at him, but she did not speak;