The gentlemen frequently spent a little time in his room, induced thereto by motives of kindness, but the others never approached it. Elsie looked upon him as the would-be murderer of her husband, and could scarcely think of him without a shudder. She was willing, even anxious to give him every comfort that money could buy, and that every effort should be made by her father and others to lead him to repentance and faith in Christ to the saving of his soul; but she shrank from seeing him, though she made kind inquiries, sent messages, and offered many sincere and fervent prayers on his behalf. Strolling about the grounds one afternoon with her little ones, she saw her father coming towards her. Something in the expression of his countenance as he drew rapidly nearer startled her with a vague fear. "What is it, papa?" she asked tremulously. "Take my arm," he said, offering it. "I have something to say to you. Rosie, do you and Walter go to your mammy." The children obeyed, while he and their mother turned into another path. Elsie's heart was beating very fast. "Papa, is--is anything wrong with--" "With any of your loved ones? No, daughter: they are all safe and well so far as I know. But I have a message for you--a request which it will not be easy or pleasant for you to grant, or to refuse. Boyd is drawing very near his end, and with a mind full of horror and despair. He says there is no hope, no mercy for him--nothing but the blackness of darkness forever." Elsie's eyes overflowed. "Poor, poor fellow! Papa, can nothing be done for him?" "Could you bear to go to him?" he asked tenderly. "Forgive me, dear child, for paining you with such a suggestion; but the poor wretch thinks he could die easier if he heard you say that you forgive him." There was a shudder, a moment's struggle with herself; then she said, very low and sadly, "Yes, papa, I will go at once. How selfish I have been in staying away so long. But--O Edward! my husband, my husband!" He soothed her very tenderly for a moment, then asked gently, "Would he not have bidden you go?" "Oh, yes, yes: he would have forgiven, he did forgive him with all his great, generous heart. And, God helping me, so will I. I am ready to go." "Lost, lost, lost! no hope, no help, the blackness of darkness forever!" were the words, uttered in piercing tones, full of anguish and despair, that greeted Elsie's ears as her father softly opened the door of Boyd's room and led her in. At those sounds, at the sight that met her view--the wretched man with the seal of death on his haggard, emaciated face, seamed and scarred beyond all recognition, tossing restlessly from side to side, while he rent the air with his cries--she turned so sick and faint that she staggered, and but for the support of her father's arm would have fallen to the floor.