The old woman’s incoherent ramblings were here interrupted by Jane Gray, who, hearing the great commotion of Betty’s shrill tongue, came out to see what was the matter, and at sight of her brother, her tears also flowed afresh. Her face was pale and anxious-looking, her eyes already red with weeping. The minister of Broomhill held her hand long in his fervent grip, and said tremblingly, "God go with and comfort you, my sister, as He had need to comfort us all in this desolation." Then the twain entered the study where their father sat, and at sight of that aged face, so peaceful and benignant in its expression, David Gray felt rebuked and ashamed. "David, my son, my heart was much with you. You are very welcome to your father’s house this night," said the old man, in significant tones. For a moment David Gray was unable to speak, but sat him down by the hearthstone in utter silence. It was broken at last by the reverent tones of his father’s voice. "If we must go forth from our heritage, David, it is the Lord’s will. Let us see to it that, instead of vain grumbling and looking back, we examine ourselves, and be glad that we are accounted worthy. They may take from us our earthly habitations, but, blessed be His name, they cannot rob us of that Heavenly City, whose builder and whose maker is God. How has the proclamation been received in the parish of Broomhill?" For answer David Gray gladly poured forth into his father’s sympathising ears the substance of his father-in-law’s remarks, as well as the disposition of his wife’s mind respecting the alternatives offered in the Act. "Verily, she is a thorn in the flesh, and Gilbert Burnet of Haughhead showed his little discretion when he so harrowed up your soul, my son," said the old man, with sorrowful indignation. "But be of good courage. With God all things are possible, and your backsliding wife may yet be the brightest jewel in your crown. My son, I hope the arguments brought to bear upon you will not turn your heart away from the Covenant which, in boyish and trembling handwriting, you attested in the kirkyard of the Greyfriars," he added, with anxious solicitude. David Gray flung up his head, while his eyes beamed with a new and unmistakable resolve. "Nay, father; not so lightly have your precepts and example taken hold upon my heart. My wife and children are as dear to me as they are to most men, but the God of the Covenant is dearer still. Therefore, whatever may befall me or mine, I am in the Lord’s hands, only desirous that I be accounted worthy to suffer for His sake." "God grant that the like spirit may be abroad throughout the Lord’s Zion, stimulating her ministers to the glory of self-sacrifice rather than to dwell at ease at the expense of conscience," said the minister, in tones of lively satisfaction. "Fear not, my son; the God of Hosts will not desert His covenanted people in their hour of need. Therefore, I say, be of good cheer."