The impatience of the party was just beginning to reach its height, when the sound of a horse's hoofs was heard. Every eye was turned to the door, which was soon opened, and Alfred stood before them, smiling, cheerful, and uninjured, though in a condition that at first occasioned some alarm, but soon excited a burst of laughter. "Here is ocular proof," cried one, "that he has seen the charcoal burner." "And been at close quarters with him," said another. "He is covered with soot." "Why, Mr. Alfred," said a young lady, "one would think you had embraced him!" "I have, mademoiselle, and I am not ashamed of owning it. Had you seen what I have, you would have done the same, without considering your dress." "Why, what have you seen?" was asked by more than one. "I have found a preacher of righteousness, 'a teacher of babes,' in the forest--one who is an example to us all--and I have learned that, whatever our station in life may be, we may do good service to our Lord." Alfred then gave a full detail of his adventure. "So then," said the old lady who had decided the question about the money, "while we were indulging in foolish conjectures, and idly jesting about this worthy man, he was engaged in the pious task of teaching young boys to read God's holy Word, and the eye of that God was upon us all. My dear young friends, this is a lesson which I trust you will never forget. I see by your looks that it has produced its effect, and given birth to serious thoughts in your hearts. God has caused your inconsiderate frolic to turn out well, and I suspect that this will be a happy day for the pupils of Gervais. The orphans will not want protectors. Now let us go to supper. Our friend Alfred must be hungry after his ride, and he has well earned his meal." These words, together with the circumstances that gave rise to them, made a deep and salutary impression upon the hearers. The supper passed cheerfully, and the conversation turned upon what could best be done for the charcoal burner and the poor orphans. Many plans were proposed, and at last one was suggested which met with general approbation. The young men, in consequence, all visited the mountain forest and the hut, which, under their exertions and superintendence, soon disappeared, and a comfortable châlet rose in its place, in which Gervais continued for many summers to pursue his useful labours, and more than one or two successive generations of boys owed their teaching to him, and their establishment in the world to the care of the patrons whom Alfred's visit had, by God's mercy, raised up for them. FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT. In a conversation with the late Richard de Courcy, John Berridge observed that he had, for many years, been preaching up self, but not Christ Jesus the Lord:--