somehow, and I may as
well give in, but you needn't trouble to call. I'll come, sure enough."

"That's settled," said the man, rising to go, adding, as he offered his
hand to Richard, "You won't forget."

"No fear, with my old woman to pester me," answered Richard, with a grim
relaxing of his features. But as the door closed behind the visitor, his
face darkened, and, although he said nothing to his wife, he sat
gloomily watching the fire for a long time, then, muttering something
about "them interferin' folks," he put his pipe into his pocket, and
passed out into the street.

"God grant they may have interfered to some purpose!" said Margaret.

Hastily finishing the domestic duties which were filling her hands, she
turned for encouragement to the Book which had proved its power to
solace and cheer in the darkest hour. Presently, with thought and desire
too intense to allow the usual posture of devotion, she rose, and began
to pace her kitchen, while she wrestled and interceded for her sinning
husband. It was during that memorable hour of strong crying, that the
sweet assurance of a speedy answer was given; and the language of
petition no longer poured from her lips, but gave place to that of
thanksgiving for another repenting one, over whom there would shortly be
rejoicing "in the presence of the angels."

But to the eye of sense, nothing seemed more unlikely, as Richard
staggered home late that night in his usual drunken condition, and rose
the next morning in the worst of tempers, following her footsteps from
place to place, with the evident purpose of provoking her with his cruel
taunts, until she should retaliate. Clothed in the armour of God,
Margaret, however, withstood all the fiery darts that were flung around
her during that eventful day. As the winter afternoon waned, she
observed, with uneasiness, that Richard made no attempt to change the
working clothes in which he had lounged about all day, for the better
suit and the clean shirt, which she had managed by dint of self-denial
should never be wanting.

"I'm pretty sure he'll make that his excuse for not going to the Hall
to-night; but there, the Lord isn't confined to that place, and He can
just as well save Richard in his dirty shirt at home, if He thinks best,
as up there; and He's going to do it, sure enough; for didn't He tell me
the angels should rejoice over him?" she said to herself. She ventured,
however, a quiet remonstrance, saying: "Your S