In the presence of the landlord, Mrs. Power took down the statement, which, with much difficulty, Ben managed to sign, after which he sank back upon the pillow, wearied with the exertion, and soon fell into a calm and restful sleep. During the days which followed, many a long talk had Ben with his kind and patient nurse. The man’s heart was softened by the danger which he had so lately passed through, and his ears were attentive as she sought to lead him to the One his father had known and trusted so well. "I should like to make my peace with God," was his cry, "but I’ve sinned against Him all my life and I’m ashamed to come to Him now." "Nevertheless you may be quite sure of a welcome," replied Mrs. Power. "The wonder is that it is _He_ Who invites us to make peace with Him--not we who have to wring forgiveness from an unwilling God. He actually pleads with us to come to Him. Listen to what St. Paul says, Ben, ’Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.’" "To think of God beseeching us to come to Him," said Ben, "when we have neglected Him so long! It seems too good to be true!" "It is only through our Lord Jesus Christ that we can come to Him," answered Mrs. Power. "It is He Who has made it possible for God to forgive. ’He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.’ You remember the old hymn-- "I lay my sins on Jesus, The spotless Lamb of God; He bears them all, and frees us From the accursed load." "But the choice must be made," added Mrs. Power solemnly. "If we keep our sins we lose our souls." "I would choose Christ," said Ben. "Isn’t there a verse that says, ’What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?’ I see it all clear now, and I thank Him for having opened up the way for me to come to God. I should like to serve Him, with His help, during what remains to me of my life, if He’ll spare me for a little while yet." "’Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered,’" was Mrs. Power’s rejoinder. "There are no regrets for those who enter the service of God." It was after this conversation, as Madelaine was walking back to Sea View Cottage in the evening light, that she began to turn her thoughts to the prospects which lay before her and her boy. She had not intended staying so long at Sunbury, having purposed only to remain for the autumn months. Julius’ illness, however, had delayed her for a few weeks, and Ben’s accident had caused her to postpone her departure still further. Both invalids being now well on the road to recovery, she felt the time had come to bring the quiet country visit to a close.