health, but for a few years of such a life as no
man could envy, as few men could endure. Staying here, or going there,
it would be all the same in the end.

Doctor Fleming had in his thoughts at the moment a life long sufferer,
who was happy in the midst of his suffering, and who made the chief
happiness of more than one who loved him--one strong in weakness,
patient to endure, a scholar, a gentleman; a simple, wise soul, to whom
the least of God's works was a wonder and delight; a strong and faithful
soul, who, in the darkness of God's mysterious dealings, was content to
wait His time--willing to stay, yet longing to go--full of pain, yet
full of peace.

"Yes," said the doctor, unconsciously uttering his thought aloud, "full
of pain, yet full of peace."

And here was this man, so eager to live--this drunkard and liar and
coward! What could life hold for him that he should so desire to
prolong it? And what would life with such a man be to such a woman as
Allison Bain?

"Yes, I know God can change the heart. He is wise to guide and mighty
to save, and they are both in His good hands. May His mercy be
vouchsafed to them both."

"Well," said the sick man, as the doctor suddenly rose to his feet.

"Well--it would be a risk, but it would not be impossible for you to be
taken home, as you seem to desire it--if only the summer were here."

"Yes, I have been waiting to hear you say that--like the rest," said
Brownrig, with the first touch of impatience in his voice; "but the
summer days are faraway, and winna be here for a while. And ye ken
yourself what chance I have of ever seeing the summer days, whether I
bide or whether I go, and go I must."

Then he went on to say how the laird would be sure to send the
Blackhills carriage for him--the easy one, which had been made in London
for the auld leddy, his mother, and how the journey might be taken
slowly and safely.

"And if I were only once there!" he said, looking up with anxious eyes.
Then he lay still.

"If you were once there, you think you would be yourself again?"

A sudden spasm passed over the eager face.

"No--not that. I ken, though you have never said it in my hearing, that
it is your belief that, be my life long or short, I can never hope to
bear my own weight again. My life's over an' done with--in a sense, but
then--there is--Allison Bain."

His voice sank to a whisper as he uttered her name.

"Yes," said the doctor to himself, "there i