ch my days were passed.

"But at last a dawn came to my dark night. It came in the shape of a
minister of Christ, our own dear Mr. Arnold, who opened the eyes of my
understanding, lit the lamp of religion in my now softened soul, taught
me the way to peace, and led my feeble steps into that blessed rest
which even on earth remaineth to the people of God.

"In the eyes of the world I am still the unfortunate blind girl; cut off
from every enjoyment; but so great is the awakening I have experienced
that to me it is far otherwise, and I am ready to exclaim, like him who
in old time experienced his Saviour's healing power, 'Once I was blind,
but now I see!'"

Gertrude half forgot her own troubles while listening to Emily's sad
story; and when the latter laid her hand upon her head, and prayed that
she too might be fitted for a patient endurance of trial, and be made
stronger and better thereby, she felt her heart penetrated with that
deep love and trust which seldom come to us except in the hour of
sorrow, and prove that it is through suffering only we are made
perfect.

CHAPTER XL.

THE HOUR OF PERIL.

As Mr. Graham had expressed in his letter the intention of being at the
steamboat wharf in New York to meet his daughter and Gertrude on their
arrival, Dr. Jeremy thought it unnecessary to accompany his charges
further than Albany, where he could see them safely on their way, and
then proceed to Boston with his wife over the Western Railroad.

"Good-bye, Gerty," said the doctor, as he bade them farewell on the deck
of one of the Hudson river-boats. "I'm afraid you've lost your heart in
Saratoga; you don't look quite so bright as you did when we first
arrived there. It can't have strayed far, however, I think, in such a
place as that; so be sure and find it before I see you in Boston."

It wanted a few minutes only of the time for the boat to start, when a
gay group of fashionables appeared talking and laughing. Among them was
Miss Clinton, whose companions were making her the object of a great
deal of wit and pleasantry, by which, although she feigned to be teased,
her smiling face gave evidence that she felt flattered and pleased. At
length the significant gesture of some of the party, and a
half-smothered hush-h! indicated the approach of some one, and presently
William Sullivan, with a travelling-bag in his hand, a heavy shawl
thrown over one arm, and his grave face, as if he had not recovered from
the c