Calmness seemed stealing insensibly over his troubled spirits; his agitated feelings sank gradually into an indescribable and wonderful repose; in that dismal moment of extreme suffering, his soul became blessedly sensible of its relationship to God;--that he was not the miserable victim of _chance_--as the busy spirit of darkness incessantly whispered in his ear--but in the hands of the _Father of the spirits of all flesh_, who listened, in his behalf, to the pleading of One _touched with the feeling of our infirmities_--_who was in all points tempted, even as we are_. His fainting soul felt sustained by the grace for which it had sought; the oil and balm of a sound scriptural consolation were poured into his wounds. Before his quickened eye arose many bright figures of those who had gloriously overcome the fiercest assaults of the Evil One, resisting even unto death:--he felt for a moment _compassed about by a great cloud of witnesses_ to the mercy and goodness of God. Oh, in that moment, how, wonderfully little seemed the sorrows which had before appeared so great! He felt, in a manner, at once humbled and exalted. Invisible support clung to his confident soul--as if he were surrounded by the arm of Him _who will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able; but will, with the temptation, also make a way to escape, that we may be able to bear it_. He sank silently upon his knees; and with clasped hands, and his face raised towards heaven, with profound contrition of spirit, yet with firm faith, besought the mercy which God has promised to those who thus will ask for it. Thus occupied, he did not perceive the door gently opened, and by Mrs. Aubrey--who, closing it hastily after her, flung her arm round his neck, sinking down beside him, and in a low, fond voice, exclaimed--"Oh, my own love! My own Charles! My poor, oppressed, persecuted, heart-broken husband! Pray for me--me also!" He gently returned her embrace, looking at her unutterable things; and after they had remained thus for a few moments, they arose. He gazed at her with unspeakable tenderness, and a countenance full of serenity and resignation. He gently soothed her agitated feelings, and succeeded in communicating to her a measure of the composure which he experienced himself. Before they had quitted that little room, he had even apprised her faithfully of the peril which momentarily menaced them; and again the cold waters gushed over her soul. At length, however, she had recovered her self-possession sufficiently to return to the room she had quitted, and instantly blanched Miss Aubrey's cheek by communicating the new terrors which threatened them.