would not obey her will, but broke and quavered, and failed at times,
like a strange instrument one has not learned how to master,--Miss
Vesta told her story, of the dark stranger who had come three days
before and taken her up to a pinnacle, and showed her the kingdoms of
the earth.

"I did not tell you, Rejoice," she cried, holding her sister's hand,
and gazing into her face in an agony of self-reproach; "I did not tell
you, because I was really tempted,--not for myself, I do believe; I am
permitted to believe, and it is the one comfort I have,--but for you,
Rejoice, my dear, and for the child herself. But mostly for you, oh,
my God! mostly for you. And when I came to myself and knew you would
rather die ten times over than have luxuries bought with the child's
happy, innocent life,--when I came to myself, I was ashamed, and did
not tell you, for I did not want you to think badly of me. If I had
told you, you would have been on your guard, and have put me on mine;
and I should never have left you, blind fool that I was, for you would
have showed me the danger. Doctor, we are two weak women,--she in
body, I in mind and heart. Tell us what we shall do, or I think we
must both die!"

Dr. Brown hardly heard her appeal, so deeply was he thinking,
wondering, casting about in his mind for counsel. But Rejoice Dale
took her sister's hand in hers.

"'Though a thousand fall beside thee, and ten thousand at thy right
hand, yet it shall not come nigh thee,'" she said steadfastly. "Our
blind child is in her Father's hand, Sister; He leads her, and she can
go nowhere without Him. Go you now, and seek for her."