Withers was being carried at this time towards the house.

"Oh! try what you can do. My brothers will be most thankful. It would
be dreadful were he to die in his present, as I fear, unprepared state,"
she replied.

Craven drew a deep breath. Susan echoed her sister's words. They were
approaching the house.

Craven's skill was not very great, but he was gentle and patient, and
contributed to relieve the sufferings of the injured man. Many hours
passed before the surgeon, who had been sent for, arrived. In the mean
time, Craven was as assiduous in his attention as he could have been had
Mark been his dearest friend. The surgeon would not pronounce a decided
opinion as to the case. Though the injuries were severe, if the man's
constitution was good he might recover, but if not, they would probably
prove fatal. James, as a true friend, felt that it was his duty to tell
Mark the truth.

The injured man groaned and muttered, "Yes, it was good; but I have done
my best to destroy it."

James spoke to him earnestly, and urged him, without delay, to make his
peace with God, through the only means open to sinful man--the blood of
His dear Son.

Mark listened, but a veil seemed on his understanding. "The fact is,
old fellow, I haven't thought about the matter, and I would rather not
now," he replied. "I don't intend to die just yet, if I can help it;
and who knows but what I may take up your notions of things, and become
as good as you are? You mean me well, I know you do; but just let me
alone."

But a faithful man is faithful in all things. Arthur persevered, and at
length a perceptible change took place in Mark's manner when he spoke of
sacred matters. The fear of death in him became great. More than once
Arthur heard him muttering to himself those awful words: HEREAFTER!
ETERNITY! At length the surgeon began to speak more favourably of
Mark's condition. He thought he would recover, he said, but would be a
cripple to the end of his life. It was a heavy blow to Mark, and caused
him many bitter tears, although it was evident that it was a wonderful
relief to his mind to be told that God had given him time for
repentance, and not cut him off in the midst of his sins. Arthur was by
his bedside continually, and it filled him with deep joy to be able to
believe that Mark was a changed man. He spoke penitently, sorrowfully,
of the past, but cheerfully and hopefully of the future. One day, as he
was lying