"As my friend," replied Armstrong; "as the guide whose deeper experience in heavenly things shall teach me the way to heaven, unless by some inscrutable decree I am excluded." "How has my heart been open, how has it longed for years to meet thine! How gladly would I have poured out my grief into thy bosom as into that of a brother!" cried Holden, his voice choked with emotion. The countenance of Mr. Armstrong betrayed astonishment. "How is this?" he said. "I never knew it. You have always been to me as a common acquaintance." A shade fell on the face of Holden. He misunderstood the meaning of the other. He supposed the phrase applicable to the feelings of Armstrong towards himself, and not as descriptive of his own conduct to Armstrong. "For the sake of the little Faith," he said coldly, "who is now a lovely woman, have I highly regarded thee." "It is even so," said Armstrong, in a melancholy tone. "There are none left to love me for my own sake. Yet why should I quarrel with my own daughter? Let me rather be grateful that she has been the means of attracting one being towards me. How can I show my friendship? How can I make you my friend?" "I _am_ thy friend," cried Holden, grasping his hand with another revulsion of feeling. "Put me to any proof. I will not fail." "If money could avail with a man like you," continued Armstrong, "it should not be wanting. If ease or luxury could tempt--but you have trampled them under foot, and what are they to one whose conversation is in heaven?" Holden, while he was speaking, had risen from his seat and strode twice or thrice across the room. When Armstrong had finished speaking he again approached him. "It is not for naught," he exclaimed, "that the Lord hath conducted thee this day unto me. Speak what he shall put into thy mouth to say." "I would have your confidence," said Armstrong. "As the sick beast or the hurt bird knows by an infallible instinct what herb or plant will best promote its cure, so it seems to me does Providence direct me to you. Repulse me not, but be my kind physician." "How can the physician prescribe, if he knoweth not the complaint." "You shall know if you have patience to listen. But I must go back years to make myself intelligible." "Speak, my brother," said Holden, gently, "not a word shall fall in vain." "Then listen," said Armstrong, "and learn what sorrows the outward shows of prosperity may gild." Holden resumed his seat, and Armstrong began his relation.