Alice made no reply. The phrase did not tend to disperse her grief,
which was rather that of pity than of love, although the two are so much
akin that the one can scarcely be distinguished from the other. Montrose
wisely said no more, thinking truly that silence was more comforting
than words, and they both remained silent for some minutes. A knock at
the door parted them, and Alice dried her tears to receive a card from
the incoming servant. At once her sad face lighted up with pleasure and
hope.
"Oh, Douglas, Dr. Eberstein has come," she exclaimed joyfully. "Bring
the gentleman here at once, at once!" And when the servant had departed
the girl turned to her lover with an air of relief. "The doctor will put
everything right. I feel certain of that."
"So do I," replied Douglas confidently. "He may even cure your father."
Eberstein was shown in at this moment, and when the door was closed, he
walked over to Montrose with a glad smile to place his two hands on the
young man's shoulders. "You have conquered, my son. As a true follower
of the Blessed One you have forgiven your enemy in the face of
overwhelming temptation to act otherwise."
"Then Mr. Enistor truly was my enemy?" asked Montrose hurriedly.
"Life after life he has been your enemy. Remember the vision which you
saw in London, and the wounded man who came between you and the girl you
love."
"Enistor!"
Eberstein bowed his head. "He was then a priest of the Star-Angel, Mars,
in Chaldea. Alice was a vestal and you a noble who loved her. I warned
you then not to pluck the fruit before it was ripe, but you would, and
in carrying away the girl you murdered Enistor. This is the sin which
has parted you and Alice for many ages. Now the debt is paid; for the
life you destroyed you have given a life in saving your enemy. The
shadow has vanished, and now," Eberstein placed the hand of Alice in
that of Montrose, "now you are one once more. In union lies strength,
therefore let the sorrows you have passed through bind you truly
together for service to God."
"How wonderful! How wonderful!" gasped Alice, holding tightly to her
lover as if she feared to lose him again. "Will there be no more
trouble?"
"The troubles which all undergo when dwelling in the flesh. But these,
in many cases, you will be able to avert, since you have much light and
more will be given. But the dark Karma of Chaldea has been dispersed for
ever. Thank God, my children, that you have been so wonderfully guided
through the mists of error into the clear day of truth."
"We do thank Him," said Douglas reverently, "and you for so guiding us."
"I am but the instrument used for God's high purpose," said Eberstein,
with a solemn look, "and I thank Him that I have been so honoured. Now
you both must do as you have been done by, and aid in the salvation of
Korah Enistor."
"My father! How can we do that?" inquired Alice anxiously.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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