t is to say, we
are reconciled; for I can scarcely be said to forgive one who never
offended me. The gladness that has ensued on that reconciliation is
worth more to me than all the gold I ever made."

"Stuart," said the colonel, somewhat suddenly, "I'll do what you ask."

"Thank you; you're a good fellow. Squeeze my hand--there now, go away;
I'll sleep for a little. Stay, perhaps, I may never waken; if so,
farewell. You'll find a fire in the library if you choose to wait till
it's over. God bless you."

The sick man turned on his side with a sigh, and fell into a sleep so
deep and quiet that the colonel left the room with some uncertainty as
to whether his friend were still in the land of the living.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. If the reader would see a somewhat similar kitchen, let him
visit the Sailors' Home, Well Street, London Docks.

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.

CONCLUSION.

Gladness is a source of life. It is probable that the joy which filled
Mr Stuart's heart, in consequence of being reconciled to Kenneth, and
having induced his brother-in-law to promise to consider the possibility
of forgiving Bella, was the cause of a favourable turn in his malady.
At all events he did recover, to the surprise of every one, and the
utter discomfiture of the doctors who had given him up!

The sentiments which Mr Stuart had expressed when, as was supposed, in
a dying state, did not forsake him when he was restored to health, for,
whereas in former days all his time, health, and wealth, were dedicated
to himself, now they were all devoted to God. Mr Stuart's face, so to
speak, had been turned south before his illness; after his illness it
was turned north. There was no other change than this. He did not
change his nature, nor did he change his pursuits. Even those of them
which were sinful were not changed--they were given up. He did not
cease to be an irascible man, but he fought against his temper, (which
he had never done before), and so became less irascible. He did not
give up his profession, but he gave up the evils which he had before
permitted to cling to it. He did not cease to make money, but he ceased
to hoard it, and devoted the money made to higher ends than heretofore.
He did not think of the world and its affairs less, but he thought of
his Maker more, and in so doing became a better man of the world than
ever! Gloom and asceticism began