"This was the most terrible disappointment he ever experienced. It was followed by a sickness which carried him to the borders of the grave; and when he recovered, he plunged into every kind of vice, drinking and gambling until he often was on the verge of starvation. Do you remember rising from your couch one night soon after the death of dear little Rose, and kneeling by the bed when you thought your husband asleep, to pray for him? He could never forget those petitions; they haunted him whenever he attempted to sleep. He says he had treated you in the most cruel manner through all that trying scene; and that you bore it like a saint, never complaining, though often gazing mournfully in his face, but rendering good for evil continually. He told me your face, just as it looked the morning Rose died, was so continually before him that when he caught one glimpse of you at the door of the studio, he thought at first it was the vision in another form." "The sight of us there so affected him, that he could scarcely stagger to the wretched garret he called home. He found out where we lived; and while we were searching in every part of the city for Paul Dudley, he, by the name of John Hastings, was lingering near our villa, waiting hours in the hope of one glance in your familiar face. He says you and I have passed him again and again, as he was seated near the gate, and that once he heard you say: "Edward, there's that poor man again. I must throw him some money." "Oh, brother what a terrible retribution for him! Since he remembered the prayer so well, did it do him any good?" "I should think it only harrowed up his soul with remorse. Poor Paul; his has been a sad instance of total recklessness, resulting from want of religious principle." "Did he seem pleased to come to us?" "Not at all. At first he absolutely refused. 'I'm dying,' he said; 'and I'd rather end my days in quiet.' But when I insisted that I would not leave any countryman in such a state of destitution, he hesitated; and I took advantage of his weakness to send for a barber, and tailor and have him made ready to be moved." "Will you please come with me?" inquired Pedro, knocking at the door. Gertrude rose instantly, and followed the servant to his master's side. His eyes looked wild; and he turned to his visitor almost fiercely. "Are you alive?" he asked. "What makes you haunt me so? You and your dead baby; I can't bear it, and I wont." "Paul," she murmured softly; for the first time putting her hand on his head. He clutched eagerly at it; and was carrying it to his lips, when with a shriek he let it fall, gasping out: "I forgot! I forgot!!" The deep humility of his voice and tone touched her as nothing else had done. Her eyes filled with tears of compassion as she gazed at his haggard countenance; when suddenly taking his hand from his eyes he observed traces of her emotion. "May I ask one question?" he inquired. "Certainly."