Clara Maynard | Page 9

truth, and therefore I can say that God may still preserve
your life for her sake, though you will undoubtedly be the gainer by

going hence, as all are who die in the Lord. We can pray to Him to
protect her." And the gallant old soldier knelt down by the side of his
friend, as by that of a beloved brother, and together they lifted up their
voices to Him in whom they trusted. Though Captain Maynard could
but faintly repeat the words uttered by the general, his heart spoke with
the fervency of a true Christian who expects soon to be in the presence
of his Saviour. He pressed the general's hand. "And whatever happens,
my dear friend, I feel confident that you will fulfil your promise," he
said.
Before the general left the house, he spoke for some time to Miss
Pemberton, who was fully convinced that her brother-in-law had not
many hours to live. The captain, however, the next day had greatly
recovered; and while Miss Pemberton was seated in the drawing-room,
Clara being with her father, Mr and Mrs Lerew were announced. Mrs
Lerew advancing, took Miss Pemberton's hand, and sank into a seat,
her husband following with the most obsequious of bows and blandest
of smiles.
"My dear lady, I rejoice to find you within," he said, "as I am anxious
to have some earnest conversation with you, while perhaps, if I may
venture to make the request, your niece will show the garden to Mrs
Lerew."
"Clara is with her father, who is still, I regret to say, very ill," answered
Miss Pemberton; "but I will summon her, that she may have the
pleasure of seeing Mrs Lerew."
"Not for the world," answered the vicar: "the present opportunity is
propitious. I was aware of Captain Maynard's serious illness; indeed, I
am most desirous to speak to him on the subject of his soul's welfare.
From what his medical attendant tells me, I fear that his days are
numbered; and you will pardon me when I say it, I grieve to hear that
he has been sadly neglectful of his religious duties."
"I hope you are mistaken," answered Miss Pemberton, somewhat
astonished at the remark; "though I have not resided long with him, I
have always understood that he was specially attentive to them."

"Not to some of the most important," said Mr Lerew: "he has not once
been to the celebration of the Holy Eucharist since I became vicar of
the parish, nor has he attended matin-song or even-song, which I have
performed daily; and I regret to observe that neither you nor your niece
have been present."
"My brother-in-law has not been in the habit of attending any but
Sunday services, nor have I, I confess," said Miss Pemberton; "but I
shall be very happy, if he gets better, to drive over with my niece,
should you think it right."
"Right!" exclaimed Mr Lerew in a tone of amazement; "I consider it a
great sin to neglect such means of grace, and by neglecting them you
encourage others to do so likewise; whereas if people of position set a
good example, it will be followed by their inferiors. But, my dear lady,
I fear that I have said what may sound harsh in your ears. One of my
great objects to-day is to see your brother-in-law alone, and I must ask
you to enable me to do so while Mrs Lerew is paying her respects to
your niece."
Miss Pemberton, seeing no objection to this, undertook to send Clara
down, and to beg Captain Maynard to receive the vicar. She went
upstairs for this purpose. Of course the sick man could not decline the
vicar's visit, and Clara having very unwillingly left her father, Mr
Lerew was ushered into his room. The new vicar spoke softly and
gently, and expressed his sorrow to hear of the captain's serious illness.
He then went on to speak of the importance of being prepared for
death.
"I would urge you, therefore, my dear sir, to confess your sins to me,
that I may absolve you from them, as I have authority from my office."
"Yes, sir, I have many sins to confess, and I have already with hearty
repentance done so to my God," answered the captain, sitting up in bed.
"I am very sure, too, that they are all washed away in the blood of Jesus
Christ."
The vicar gave a suppressed hem. He at once saw that he must drop the

point of confession. "Then, my dear sir," he added, "I should have no
hesitation in administering to you the Holy Eucharist, which, knowing
your dangerous state, I reserved for you on Sunday last, and have now
brought in my pocket."
"I do not exactly understand