His lordship rose, laid a card on a chair, begged her to make use of him, et cetera; he then, recalling the oracular prescription, said, “Do me the favor to apply to me for any little sum you have a use for, and, in return, I will beg of you (if it does not bore you too much) to make me acquainted with any little troubles you may have encountered in the course of your life.” His lordship, receiving no answer, was about to go, after bowing to her, and smiling gracefully upon her. His hand was on the latch, when Jess Rutherford burst into a passion of tears. He turned with surprise. “My _troubles,_ laddie,” cried she, trembling all over. “The sun wad set, and rise, and set again, ere I could tell ye a' the trouble I hae come through. “Oh, ye need na vex yourself for an auld wife's tears; tears are a blessin', lad, I shall assure ye. Mony's the time I hae prayed for them, and could na hae them Sit ye doon! sit ye doon! I'll no let ye gang fra my door till I hae thankit ye--but gie me time, gie me time. I canna greet a' the days of the week.” Flucker, _aetat._ 14, opened his eyes, unable to connect ten shillings and tears. Lord Ipsden sat down, and felt very sorry for her. And she cried at her ease. If one touch of nature make the whole world kin, methinks that sweet and wonderful thing, sympathy, is not less powerful. What frozen barriers, what ice of centuries, it can melt in a moment! His bare mention of her troubles had surprised the widowed woman's heart, and now she looked up and examined his countenance; it was soon done. A woman, young or old, high or low, can discern and appreciate sensibility in a man's face, at a single glance. What she saw there was enough. She was sure of sympathy. She recalled her resolve, and the tale of her sorrows burst from her like a flood.