"But there's no time, I tell you again," the marquis almost shrieked. "And I tell you there is all eternity to do it in. Take Him for your master, and He will demand nothing of you which you are not able to perform. This is the open door to bliss. With your last breath you can cry to Him, and He will hear you as He heard the thief on the cross, who cried to Him dying beside him: 'Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.'--'To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise.' It makes my heart swell to think of it, my lord. No cross-questioning of the poor fellow, no preaching to him. He just took him with Him where He was going, to make a man of him." "Well, you know something of my history: what would you have me do now?--at once, I mean. What would the Person you are speaking of have me do?" "That is not for me to say, my lord." "You could give me a hint." "No. God is telling you Himself. For me to presume to tell you would be to interfere with Him. What He would have a man do He lets him know in his mind." "But what if I had not made up my mind before the last came?" "Then I fear He would say to you, 'Depart from me, thou worker of iniquity.'" "That would be hard when another minute might have done it." "If another minute would have done it, you would have had it." A paroxysm of pain followed, during which Mr. Graham silently left him. CHAPTER LXX. END OR BEGINNING? When the fit was over and he found Mr. Graham was gone, he asked Malcolm, who had resumed his watch, how long it would take Lady Florimel to come from Edinburgh. "Mr. Crathie left wi' fower horses frae the Lossie Airms last nicht, my lord," said Malcolm; "but the ro'ds are ill, an' she winna be here afore some time the morn." The marquis stared aghast: they had sent for her without his orders. "What _shall_ I do?" he murmured. "If once I look in her eyes, I shall be damned.--Malcolm!" "Yes, my lord." "Is there a lawyer in Portlossie?" "Yes, my lord: there's auld Maister Carmichael." "He won't do: he was my brother's rascal. Is there no one besides?" "No in Portlossie, my lord. There can be nane nearer than Duff Harbor, I doobt." "Take the chariot and bring him here directly. Tell them to put four horses to: Stokes can ride one." "I'll ride the ither, my lord." "You'll do nothing of the kind: you're not used to the pole." "I can tak the leader, my lord." "I tell you you're to do nothing of the kind," cried the marquis angrily. "You're to ride inside, and bring Mr.--what's his name?--back with you." "Soutar, my lord, gien ye please." "Be off, then. Don't wait to feed. The brutes have been eating all day, and they can eat all night. You must have him here in an hour." In an hour and a quarter Miss Horn's friend stood by the marquis's bedside, Malcolm was dismissed, but was presently summoned again to receive more orders.