"It is late for a visit to Lady Sarah's. But I wish particularly to see them." "I have now come from thence," returned Mr. Hastings. "Sarah Anne grows weaker, I hear." "Ay. I have been praying over her." Thomas Godolphin felt shocked. "Is she so near death as that?" he asked, in a hushed tone. "So near death as that!" repeated the clergyman in an accent of reproof. "I did not expect to hear a like remark from Mr. Godolphin. My good friend, is it only when death is near that we are to pray?" "It is chiefly when death is near that prayers are said _over us_," replied Thomas Godolphin. "True--for those who have not known when and how to pray for themselves. Look at that girl: passing away from amongst us, with all her worldly thoughts, her selfish habits, her evil, peevish temper! But that God's ways are not as our ways, we might be tempted to question why such as these are removed; such as Ethel left. The one child as near akin to an angel as it is well possible to be, here; the other---- In our blind judgment, we may wonder that she, most ripe for heaven, should not be taken to it, and that other one left, to be pruned and dug around; to have, in short, a chance given her of making herself better." "Is she so very ill?" "I think her so; as does Snow. It was what he said that sent me up there. Her frame of mind is not a desirable one: and I have been trying to do my part. I shall be with her again to-morrow." "Have you any message for your daughter?" asked Thomas Godolphin. "I start in two hours' time for Scotland." And then, he explained why: telling of their uncertainty. "When shall you be coming back again?" inquired Mr. Hastings. "Within a week. Unless my father's state should forbid it. I may be wishing to take a holiday at Christmas time, or thereabouts, so shall not stay away now. George is absent, too." "Staying at Broomhead?" "No; he is not at Broomhead now." "Will you take charge of Maria? We want her home." "If you wish it, I will. But I should think they would all be returning very shortly. Christmas is intended to be spent here." "You may depend upon it, Christmas will not see Lady Godolphin at Prior's Ash, unless the fever shall have departed to spend its Christmas in some other place," cried the Rector. "Well, I shall hear their plans when I get there." "Bring back Maria with you, Mr. Godolphin. Tell her it is my wish. Unless you find that there's a prospect of her speedy return with Lady Godolphin. In that case, you may leave her." "Very well," replied Thomas Godolphin. He continued his way, and Mr. Hastings looked after him in the bright moonlight, till his form disappeared in the shadows cast by the roadside trees.