es which
had united him to the world, were broken, never to be renewed. What he
most prized and loved he had lost. He was an exception to other
men. He had been isolated by destiny, whose iron finger pointed to
solitude, and solitude he chose as most congenial to his bruised
spirit. But, besides, an idea had mastered him, in whose presence the
vanities and indulgences of the world and all worldly considerations,
shrunk into insignificance. Of what consequence were wealth and
distinction to one who looked momently for the introduction of a state
of things, when they would be of less importance than the baubles of a
child? The gay world might laugh and jest in its delusion, but it was
for him to watch and pray. Some feeling of resentment, too, towards
his brother, may have helped to color his conduct. As time, however,
wore on, his heart began to expand to human affections; for we
have seen, how fond he became of the society, first, of Faith,
and, finally, of his brother; deriving, possibly, a sort of insane
gratification from even the concealment of his relationship, as a
miser gloats over the security of his hoard. It is, indeed, probable,
that, but for the discovery of his son, he would have died without
betraying the secret, but, that discovery awakened anew feelings which
he never expected to have again in this life. He looked upon his
son and the inheritance, which to him was valueless, assumed
an importance. And it may be--who can tell?--that, sometimes, a
doubt--for how long had he waited in vain?--might throw a shadow
over his expectation of the Millennium. But this we have no means
of determining, and, as we shall presently see, his subsequent life
rather sustains the opposite opinion.

CHAPTER XLIII.

By his great Author man was sent below,
Some things to learn, great pains to undergo,
To fit him for what further he's to know.

This end obtained, without regarding time,
He calls the soul home to its native clime,
To happiness and knowledge more sublime.

ALLAN RAMSAY

The period of time which has elapsed since the occurring of the events
detailed in the preceding chapters, enables us to give a tolerably
full account of the destiny of the actors, who, for the space of a few
months, have flitted across our stage.

James Armstrong lived in the enjoyment of pretty good health some two
years after his recovery. The melancholy with which nature had tinged
his disposition was, indeed, n