GERTRUDE opened the door and walked quietly to the bed. There was a great change in Paul's appearance since the previous day. In dress and appurtenances he was a gentleman once more; and when the visitor remembered how fastidious he had formerly been in all matters pertaining to his person, she could well realize how much this would add to his comfort. Pedro, a young Italian, was removing the small silver tray upon which the exquisite dishes of china had been placed; and Paul, hurriedly taking his napkin from his neck turned to the lady with a pleading earnestness which deeply moved her. "I am glad to hear you are more comfortable," she said, smiling. "Yes, I slept well." He kept his eyes on her face as if fascinated; not seeming to notice that the earnestness of his gaze brought the eloquent blood to her cheeks. "What shall I call you?" he asked, softly. "I mean, have you changed your name?" "Yes, I am Mrs. Wallingford now." He sighed repeatedly, burying his emaciated features in his more emaciated hands. "We will both forget the past," she said seriously. "You are a countryman; a stranger in a strange land; and we are friends, anxious to do you good." "It's no use. I've given up trying long ago. The first temptation that came I was overcome." "Does it tire you to talk?" she asked, with lively interest. "Not so much as it comforts me to feel I have one friend near." She motioned to Pedro, who was leaving the room, to remain, and drawing a chair to the bed, said tenderly: "You have one Friend, Paul, who has never left you. It is He who caused our paths to cross; and who ordered this meeting. Have you never felt anxious to secure the blessings he can give you?" She was astonished to witness the emotions this question excited. The poor man's breast heaved and fell; his face became agitated, till his features were almost convulsed. "I thought my heart was dead long ago," he gasped, "dead and buried. It's no use to revive that old grief; I've tried hard enough to forget it." "What do you mean? You say you gave up trying to do right. Did you rely on your own strength? Don't you remember how Dr. Gilbert used to tell us to seek help from above? There is a fountain from which we are allowed to draw freely." "I'm too weak to talk much," was the weary answer. "I wish I could lie here forever and look out on the fleecy clouds." "Would it tire you for me to read?" "No; but you'll get the Bible; and it's no use. I'm past that long ago." She took a small testament from the table, and turning to Luke xv, 7; read this verse, "I say unto you that, likewise, joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance." Then turning to Pedro, she said in Italian; "See that your master has every attention. If he has any friend whom he wishes to see, send for him."