"First then," said Arthur, "tell me one thing--did I rave about a carpet bag in my delirium?" "Well, yes," said Henry, wonderingly; "I suppose it must have fallen with you into the river." "Has it been found?" "It was not brought to Englefield Grange for weeks after your accident; the bag and its contents are in a terrible condition from the action of the water." "Were any papers amongst the _débris_?" "One, completely reduced to a pulp, the writing upon it scarcely legible; it appeared quite useless, so I burnt it!" "Thank God!" and Arthur as he spoke closed his eyes, and clasped his hands, showing that the words were not a mere commonplace expression, but came direct from the heart. Henry Halford looked at him in surprised silence. Presently Arthur startled him by rising suddenly and laying his hand on his brother's arm. "Henry," he said, "don't shrink from me with horror; on that paper which you have destroyed I had forged my dead wife's name after her death." "Arthur, my dear fellow," said Henry, "pray lie down and compose yourself; I feared you would get excited. If you will lie quiet for awhile we can talk about this paper by-and-by." "You think my brain is becoming disturbed again," said Arthur, lying back quietly at Henry's bidding, "but indeed I am telling you the truth. I have not yet dared to utter a word to anyone on the subject, and if you will not listen to me I must carry the burden with me to my grave." Quite convinced by the calm tones and the earnest words, Henry Halford placed his hand on the arm of his brother, and said, "Have you taken your burden to God, Arthur?" "Ah, that is what dear Fanny would have said; but how could I venture to take my trouble there, when it is caused by sin, and is therefore my just punishment?" "Arthur," said Henry, "while you were a boy at my father's school, did you not study your Bible sufficiently to know how ready God is to pardon and forgive?"