Mr. Porteous stood beside the bed in silence, which was broken by his seizing the fevered hand of the Sergeant, saying fervently, "God bless and preserve you, dear friend!" Then turning to Mrs. Mercer, he motioned her to accompany him to the kitchen. But for a few seconds he gazed out of the window blowing his nose. At length, turning round and addressing her, he said, "Be assured that I feel deeply for you. Do not distrust me. Let me only add that if Mary _must_ be taken out of the house for a time to escape infection, as I am disposed to think she should be, I will take her to the Manse, if I cannot find another place for her as good as this--which would be difficult." "Oh, Mr. Porteous! I maun thank ye for----" "Not a word, not a word of thanks, Mrs. Mercer," interrupted the minister; "it is my duty. But rely on my friendship for you and yours. The Lord has smitten, and it is for us to bear;" and shaking her hand cordially, he left the house. "God’s ways are not our ways," said Katie to herself, "and He kens hoo to mak’ a way o’ escape out o’ every trial." Love ceased to knock for an entrance into the minister’s heart; for the door was open and love had entered, bringing in its own light and peace. CHAPTER XXIX THE MINISTER PURE AND PEACEABLE As the minister walked along the street, with the old umbrella, his inseparable companion in all kinds of weather, wet or dry, under his arm, and with his head rather bent as if in thought, he was met by Mrs. Craigie, who suddenly darted out--for she had been watching his coming--from the "close" in which she lived, and curtsied humbly before him. "Beg pardon, sir," she said, "it’s a fine day--I houp ye’re weel. Ye’ll excuse me, sir." "What is it? what is it?" asked Mr. Porteous, in rather a sharp tone of voice, disliking the interruption at such a time from such a person. "Weel," she said, cracking her fingers as if in a puzzle, "I just thocht if my dear wee Mary was in ony danger frae the fivver at the Sergeant’s, I wad be willint--oo ay, real willint--for freendship’s sake, ye ken, tae tak’ her back tae mysel’." "Very possibly you would," replied Mr. Porteous, drily; "but my decided opinion at present is, that in all probability she won’t need your kindness." "Thank ye, sir," said the meek Craigie, whose expression need not be analysed as she looked after Mr. Porteous, passing on with his usual step to Mr. Smellie’s shop. No sooner had he entered the "mercantile establishment" of this distinguished draper, than with a nod he asked its worthy master to follow him up to the sanctum. The boy was charged to let no one interrupt them. When both were seated in the confidential retreat,--the scene of many a small parish plot and plan,--Mr. Porteous said, "I have just come from visiting our friend, Adam Mercer."