Softly and lightly as Mrs. Mandeville re-entered Carol's room, he heard her. He had been listening for her footsteps, whilst obedient to her desire, lying with closed eyelids.

She was spared the pain of telling him she had been unsuccessful. He read it in her face.

"Auntie, dear, please don't look so troubled. Uncle Raymond does not understand. It is quite all right. Love can always find a way." Mrs. Mandeville almost smiled through her unshed tears. How great was her love for the boy, yet she could think of no way by which what he wanted could be immediately procured. Even she did not fully realize how he was waiting and yearning for that healing touch, which comes

'More softly than the dew is shed

Or cloud is floated overhead.'

Nurse left the room, and Mrs. Mandeville again took her place by the bedside.

In less than an hour a maid came to the bedroom door, asking in a whisper, "Can I speak to you a moment, ma'am?"

"What is it, Withers?" Mrs. Mandeville asked.

"A Mr. Higgs from the village is downstairs. He came to inquire after Master Carol. He said he would like the young gentleman to know he has walked from the village to the Manor."

The words were spoken at the door very softly, but Carol heard.

"Oh, Auntie, I am glad!" he said. "Could Mr. Higgs come here? I should like to speak to him."

"Darling, I am afraid it will excite you to see him. The doctor's orders are that you are to be kept perfectly quiet."

"It won't excite me, Auntie; and what makes me very happy cannot hurt me."

"You may bring Mr. Higgs to see Master Carol since he wishes it so much, Withers."

No one but those who were nursing him had been admitted to the room. The maid was surprised as she took the message, and then brought the old man to the room.

"God bless 'ee, Master Carol, God bless 'ee. Aye, I don't know how to say it often enough, when I think it's all along o' the blessed truth you taught me I'm free of the rheumatiz. I met Farmer Stubbins on my way, and he says, 'Why, Higgs, you're walking along quite spry. What's become o' your rheumatiz?' 'Gone, thank the Lord,' says I, 'never to return.' 'Oh! and what may you have done to get rid of it?' he asks, being crippled himself with the same. 'I ain't done nothing,' I replied. Then I says, 'Farmer Stubbins, you and me was boys together, and we sang in the village choir. Do you mind there's a verse in the Psalms--aye, we've sung it many a time; but we just didn't think o' the words--it was the music we thought about. "He sent His word and healed them." That's just what the Lord has done. He has sent His word and healed me, and He sent it by the mouth of one of His dear children.'"

Carol's face was radiant with joy. Anxiously watching him, Mrs. Mandeville could not fear that the old man's talk could harm him.

Then, after fumbling in his coat pocket, he drew forth a little book carefully folded in soft paper.

"I've got it, Master Carol. It came this morning--the little book you've told me about. My daughter wrote for me. We didn't quite know where to write, so we just addressed the letter: 'Christian Science Church, London,' and a kind lady has sent me this book. It isn't quite new, and she writes that I shall value it more if it costs me something. I am just to pay what I can, and send the money as I am able."

He was unfolding the paper covering as he spoke, and then held out a small copy of Science and Health.

"Oh, Auntie, isn't Love beautiful! You see Love has found a way. Mr. Higgs will lend it to you to read to me a little time--won't you, Mr. Higgs?"

"I'll be very happy to, Master Carol."

Mrs. Mandeville took the book with almost a feeling of awe. It had come so wonderfully, yet so simply. She thought of the words: "He sent His angel."

She pointed to a chair, saying, "Please be seated, Mr. Higgs, whilst I read. Is there any particular part you would like me to read, Carol?" she asked, turning over the pages.

"No, Auntie--just open the book; let Love find the place."

"Carol, you so frequently speak of Love as of a personality. What do you mean, dear?"

"Auntie, God is Love. But when we speak of God, it seems we must bow our head, and think reverently of the great 'I Am.' But when we speak of Love--we can just creep into Love's arms, and ask Love anything."

"Even to find a place in a book," Mrs. Mandeville said with a smile.

"Yes, Auntie--even that."

Then she opened the book. It opened at page 494, and the first sentence she read was: "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need."

A smile rested on the boy's face, his sufferings were forgotten, as the dear familiar words fell on his ear. Love had not failed him.

Mrs. Mandeville never knew afterwards how long she read. She became entranced, absorbed.

When she turned to look at him, he was asleep. She quietly rose, and with one whispered word asked Mr. Higgs to follow her.

Withers was still waiting without.

"Take Mr. Higgs to the housekeeper's room, Withers, and ask her to give him a substantial tea. Then send word to the stables--when he is ready--I wish Parker to drive him to his home in my basket chaise. It is only a step from the ground. You will easily get in and out. I am deeply indebted to you for coming this afternoon, Mr. Higgs. My dear boy needed sleep so much. It was vitally necessary for him. He was so sure he would sleep, if I could read Science and Health to him, and I did not know how to procure a copy of the book."

"May I leave this with you, ma'am?"

"If you will be so kind for a day or two."

"Isn't Love beautiful!" the old man said to himself, repeating Carol's words, as he followed the maid to the housekeeper's room.