"He was brought in yesterday by a gentleman whose head had been hurt; Mr. Arundel, one of the special constables." "All right--yes--this way, madam; but let me advise you to make short work of your visit, and get back to your own house! this way." "Is the man conscious?" "Yes, there is a flicker up before the end; but he is dying." Poor Susan pressed her hand upon her side, and clung to her mistress's arm. "Oh, dear lady, pray for me," she said. "I have come because I knew mother would have wished it." "Take courage, Susan, and God will help you." Many wistful eyes were turned upon the mistress and her maid, as they entered the ward. Some of the wounded people were groaning, others crying aloud for help; but Bob Priday, lying against pillows propped behind him, was still and silent. Joyce led Susan to the bed, and said: "I have brought your daughter, and I come to thank you for keeping your promise; for you saved my husband's life." A strange, half-conscious smile flitted over the man's face. "I'm sorry I've been such a bad husband to thee, Susan, for thou wert a tidy lass when I married thee. What are thee come to fetch me for? Susan, don't'ee cry." "Father, father! my dear mistress has brought me to say 'Good-bye.'" "Aye, I remember now; tell her 'twas the touch of her little, white hand that did it. Says I to myself, if she can touch the likes of me, perhaps God may forgive me, do you see, Sue? I thought 'twas your mother at first; I see now; 'tis little Sue--a woman grown. Tell your mistress 'twas her little, white hand that did it. Lor! she is like an angel." Then Joyce took the hand lying nearest once more in hers, and, kneeling down, raised her clear, sweet voice and repeated: "The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost. "There is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." "I do repent," he said; and great tears--the first tears Bob Priday had shed for many a long year--ran down his cheeks. "It's all along of _you_," he said; "as _you_ forgive me, He may." Then Joyce asked for pardon of Him in whose steps she was following, for this poor, dying man, whose life had been so darkened by sin, and who had brought so much sorrow upon others. "O Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us;" and the last conscious words which Bob Priday spoke were, "Amen," and then, "Kiss me, little Sue." Joyce left Susan kneeling by the bed, while she turned to others in the ward, passing through the long line of beds like a messenger of peace.