She opened her Bible to seek for comfort. Did an angel guide her hand, or did the Lord of heaven and earth—the Father of all, before whom not a sparrow falleth unmarked—thus speak directly to his stricken child? For oh, words of life and light! these were they that met her mournful eyes: “Fear _thou_ not; for _I_ am with thee: be not dismayed; for _I_ am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” She dropped the book and closed her eyes, for a flood of blessing had descended upon her, enveloping and impenetrating her whole being, and filling her with Divine love, wisdom, and strength. She needed all—love to teach her patience and forgiveness under unjust contumely, wisdom to guide her in her dark and dangerous path, strength to enable her to bear the approaching terrible ordeal. In a few days intelligence was received that the Judges were within a few days’ journey of Exeter, and that the Assizes would be opened on the following Monday. Good Mr. Oldfield heard this news with much more agitation than was felt by his charge, who, pale and still, awaited her fate. The Rector wrote a note and sent it by a special messenger to Lord Dazzleright, desiring his lordship to come at his earliest possible convenience and advise with him. Lord Dazzleright lost no time in complying with the request, and arrived the next day at the parsonage. Mr. Oldfield immediately conducted his lordship into his library, which was the room on the right side of the entrance hall, opposite to his old wife’s parlor. When they had reached this apartment, the Rector handed a chair to his guest, and dropped himself into another, saying: “The Assizes are at hand.” “I know it—thank Heaven, the suspense will be over,” replied Lord Dazzleright, cheerfully. “But—I took the liberty of sending for your lordship to ask—what am _I_, as Lady Montressor’s surety, expected to do? Am I to wait here with her until a tipstaff summons us to appear, or must I take her to Exeter, and render her up? You see, though I am seventy years of age, I was never in a criminal court in any capacity in my life, and knew no more of its forms than a child.” “I see: of course you are expected, without further notice to bring your charge into court. But, anticipating this natural embarrassment on your part, I have brought and left my carriage at the inn, and will call with it to-morrow to take yourself and Lady Montressor to Exeter—if you will accept.” “Oh, with promptitude, and many thanks, my lord.” “In this case, then, all that you will have to do will be to take seats in the carriage and leave the rest to myself, as her ladyship’s counsel.” “I am very grateful to have my mind thus far relieved, my lord.” “I shall be at your door to-morrow morning, at ten—if that hour will suit you.” “Perfectly, my lord.” “And now, as I have a world of business on my hands, I must bid you good-day,” said Lord Dazzleright.