into this man's life, and fished up all the pearls--the more
remarkable passages.

Many years ago this old man had been a soldier, had fought in more
than one great battle, had retreated with Sir John Moore upon Corunna,
and been one of the battered and weary but invincible band who wheeled
round and stunned the pursuers on 'that bloody and glorious day. Mr.
Eden went with the old man to Spain, discussed with great animation
the retreat, the battle, the position of the forces, and the old
soldier's personal prowess. Old Giles perked up, and dilated, and was
another man; he forgot his rheumatism, and even his old age. Twice he
suddenly stood upright as a dart on the floor, and gave the word of
command like a trumpet in some brave captain's name; and his cheek
flushed, and his eye glittered with the light of battle. Susan looked
at him with astonishment. Then when his heart was warm and his spirits
attentive Mr. Eden began to throw in a few words of exhortation. But
even then he did not bully the man into being a Christian; gently,
firmly, and with a winning modesty, he said: "I think you have much to
be thankful for, like all the rest of us. Is it not a mercy you were
not cut off in your wild and dissolute youth? you might have been
slain in battle."

"That I might, sir; three of us went from this parish and only one
came home again.

"You might have lost a leg or an arm, as many a brave fellow did; you
might have been a cripple all your days."

"That is true, sir."