performed by themselves with ease.
While a few, who had been in the habit of glorying in unselfishness as
their strong point, had come to detect their own weakness when they got
little or no credit from their neighbours for their ambitious acts of
self-denial. And one thing was specially worthy of remark,--so far from
suffering in health, everyone returned home greatly improved in looks
and vigour by this compulsory stay in the clear and bracing atmosphere
of Comoro. As for the hypochondriacal gentleman, who had felt so keenly
the refusal to be allowed to take his packing-case of medicines with
him, he had returned in such a state of spirits that he at once sold his
extensive stock of drugs by auction, and gave the money to an hospital
for incurables. And, indeed, so great was the gain to the metropolis,
in the first place by the absence of the exiles, and afterwards by their
altered character, for the most part, on their return to their homes,
that the king, when talking over the matter with the commissioner,--whom
he had selected for the post as, by general acknowledgment, the most
upright, downright, straightforward, honest-minded man in his kingdom,--
declared that he should like to try the atmosphere of Comoro himself
some day, as it was proved to be so healthy and improving.

"I most heartily advise your majesty to do so," said the commissioner,
somewhat bluntly; "and if your majesty will only take the entire cabinet
with you, I have little doubt but that the benefit to yourself and your
ministers will be most heartily acknowledged and thoroughly appreciated
by your subjects on your majesty's auspicious return."

CHAPTER EIGHT.

A LITTLE MYSTERIOUS.

Mary Stansfield pursued her quiet work at Bridgepath amongst the poor,
being welcomed by all, but by none so cordially as by John Price and his
family, who seemed quite different people now from what they used to be.
And why? Just because they had exchanged resignation for God's peace.
Their characters and conduct were outwardly the same; but there was a
new light in them and reflected from them, even the light that shines in
hearts where Jesus dwells as a Saviour known and loved, a light which
brightens the heavy clouds of earthly sadness and spans them with a
rainbow of immortal hope. And not only so, but, in consequence of the
entrance of this purer light, a change for the better was taking place
in the bodily health of the poor bed-ridden man--for a w