Part 19 (1/2)
He had never enjoyed a meal so much, he thought idly--no, not even in the recent days of starvation in Whitechapel, when an unexpected windfall had provided him and Hampson with food.
Whitechapel! What a lifetime of experience had been his since those days! Wales, the mystical life with Lluellyn Lys--
A flush of shame and sorrow came over him. Why had he doubted even for a single moment the power and guidance of G.o.d! Had not the Holy Ghost been always with him--always, from the very first?
”O Lord,” he cried, in his heart, ”forgive Thine unworthy servant his weak doubts and fears! I know that Thou art with me, now, and forever more!”
He had concluded the short and unspoken prayer when he was startled by a voice.
He had not noticed that when the coffee-stall proprietor--an old man with snow-white hair, and large, horn-rimmed spectacles--had given him the coffee, he had returned to a large book he was reading.
Now Joseph looked round suddenly, and realized that the old fellow was saying the sentences aloud to himself.
”He shall call upon Me, and I will hear him; yea, I was with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and bring him to honour.”
Joseph put down his pennies upon the counter. The answer to his prayer had come, once more G.o.d had spoken.
”Thank ye!” said the old man, in a strong Scotch accent. ”I doot but I startled ye with me reading. I read aloud to my wife, who can nae mair see to read for hersel', and sae I've got in the way o't. But they're gran' words, lad.”
”Thank you for them, and G.o.d bless you!” Joseph answered; and with the old fellow's kindly ”Good nicht!” ringing in his ears, resumed his walk.
He was immeasurably comforted and helped, and his whole soul went up in a burst of praise and adoration.
No thought of sleep came to him. He no longer felt physically weary. He was impelled to walk and pray for sleeping London.
”Lord, grant that they will hear me! Lord, send down Thy Holy Spirit upon me, and give me Thy grace! Raise up great and powerful helpers for the work, for I am weak and poor.”
He was in Piccadilly now, and as he prayed he walked more slowly.
Oh, that those great people who lived in this wonderful street--now so dark and silent--would open the doors of their hearts that Christ might enter in!
The dark was suddenly illuminated.
A great door swung slowly open, and two men in evening dress stood together upon the threshold.
He turned instinctively and looked them full in the face.
There was a startled cry of ”Joseph!” And as if in a dream he mounted the steps and pa.s.sed under the lintel.
The door closed quietly behind him.
CHAPTER X
THE COUSINS
It was midnight when Mary Lys arrived at her aunt's house in Berkeley Square. Lady Kirwan had gone to bed; but it happened, so the butler told her, that Miss Kirwan was sitting up in her boudoir, in the hopes that her cousin might yet arrive that night.
The greeting between the two girls was warmly affectionate. Marjorie had always loved Mary as a sister, loved her and reverenced her deeply. The pretty society girl was certainly of a b.u.t.terfly nature, loving the bright and merry side of life, and unwilling to look upon its darker aspects. Yet she was unspoiled at heart, and the constant spectacle of Mary's devotion to the suffering and poor of the world, her steadfast pursuit of a hard and difficult path, always touched the younger girl.
”Oh, you poor dear,” she said, ”I am so glad you have arrived at last!