“Yes--that is what we heard at first. It is true tu--so far as it goes. When we feared he would die, it seemed everything to know that his life was spared; but after that came terrible bad news tu. His life is safe--the doctor says he will live years and years--to be an old man like enough; but it’s doubtful whether he will ever walk again. He’s been hurt in the back, and is what folks call half paralysed. He’s got the feelin’s in his limbs, but no power. He lies on his back, and there he’ll lie for years. He may get better very slowly, they say. A great doctor from London has been down, and says with his strength and youth he may bit by bit get back his strength and power; but anyhow it’ll be a question of years; and meantime there he’ll lie like a log, and have to be tended and cared for like a baby.” Saul put his hand before his eyes and Abner stopped short, realising that perhaps he had said too much, and that what had grown familiar to him during these past days had come on Saul as a shock. And indeed it might well do so; for if any one in so different a position in life could estimate the terrible death-in-life of such a fate for one with all Eustace’s enthusiasm and ardent thirst for active work, Saul Tresithny could; for Eustace had talked with him as man to man, and had told him of his personal aims and ambitions and purposes as a man of his class seldom does to one in a sphere so entirely different. “Crippled for life--perhaps! Crippled through my crime! O my God, can there be forgiveness for this? Ah! yes--His Blood washes away _all_ sin. But my punishment seems greater than I can bear!” He lay still for a few moments and then half rose up in bed. “I must see him--I must! I must ask his pardon on my knees. If my Saviour has pardoned my guilt, I must yet ask pardon of him whom I have so grievously wronged. Grandfather, help me!--I must go to him. I cannot die till I have seen him once again!” In great perplexity and distress, Abner strove to reason with the excited patient, and great was his relief when the doctor appeared suddenly upon the scene. Inquiring what all the commotion was about, and learning that Saul had recovered his senses, but had grown excited in his desire to see Mr. Marchmont once more, he thrust out his under lip and regarded the young man intently, his finger upon his patient’s wrist all the while. Then he spoke to him quietly and soothingly. “I will let you see him to-morrow, if possible,” he said kindly. “I understand your feeling; but to-night you must be content to wait and gather a little strength. Mr. Marchmont is sleeping, and had better not be disturbed; but if you sleep too, the hours will soon pass. To-morrow I will do what I can to gratify you,” and having quieted Saul and administered a soothing draught, he drew Abner with him outside the door. “Can he really do it?” asked the old man wonderingly. “I thought he was like to die at any sudden movement or exertion.”