places, and Miriam was playing a low prelude on the organ. Then came a soft burst of voices singing a solemn strain—

"The world is very evil,

The times are waxing late :
Be sober and keep vigil,

The Judge is at the gate:
The Judge who comes in mercy,
The Judge who comes in might,
Who comes to end the evil,

Who comes to crown the right."

There was no one to see Jack's tears as he stood in the darkness of the nave; but they were tears that were no shame to him. With them, the bitterness seemed to flow away from his soul; he saw himself, an impotent mortal, struggling against wrongs which the great Judge was coming to terminate. A little while ago he had been feverishly angry with the wickedness of the world; but if God had patience with it, could not he have patience also? It had been an evil world when Bernard de Morlaix wrote that hymn; so evil, that good Bernard thought the end must surely be very near: yet it had long outlasted his day. Nevertheless, "the Judge was at the gate," and His servants must be sober and

keep vigil.

Yes, they must keep watch over themselves, lest passion should make them forget Him whose right it is to reign.

In after years, Jack often recalled that night, and its memory served to hush many an impatient and rebellious thought. The evil would be ended; the right would be crowned; but he must wait for the Judge to do it.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE DOCTOR'S ILLNESS.

THE old year had ended in an unwholesome

autumn, and fever had been rifè in Alderport. Even the sea-breezes could not blow it away. It lingered longest in the more populous and poorer parts of the place, but it was not confined to these. And when the new year set in, and steamy vapours fled before the frosty winds, this unwelcome visitant still lurked about the town.

Nobody suspected that it had seized upon Dr. Fenway. It has often been said that doctors seem to bear a charmed life; and it may be, perhaps, that He who ever had compassion on suffering humanity keeps watch over its healers. Bravely and patiently they front dangers from which many a veteran soldier would shrink, and faithfully do they discharge their terrible duties; but flesh is

flesh, and now and again a doctor astonishes us by breaking down.

Jack was the first to notice certain unfavourable signs in his father. The doctor's appetite failed; he started at little sounds, spoke with a sharpness that was not natural in him, and looked considerably older. Willie, who had studied his face while he slept in his arm-chair, felt his vague fears revive. The hard-working man was wearing out; his powers were giving way for lack of rest.

Mrs. Hurst watched her brother anxiously; but she did not see any cause for serious apprehension. She believed that he was overworked and overwearied, and thought that if he would consent to snatch a week's holiday, all might be well. She talked to him on the subject, but he answered her entreaties with such unwonted tartness, that she dared not urge the matter upon him.

She did not know that the doctor was fighting a fierce battle with his invisible enemy. He would not acknowledge, even to himself, that the fever had him in its grasp; all the premonitory symptoms which he was so quick to observe in his patients, he wilfully disregarded in his own

case. And thus he struggled on, day after day, with an obstinacy that nearly proved fatal at last. One morning he came downstairs a little later than usual, and found the household assembled for prayers. The home-service was always brief enough for the boys to join in it before they set off to the grammar school, and the Fenways, with the exception of Ada, were all scrupulously punctual. The lads glanced at their father as he took his place, and silently remarked his extreme paleness. They watched him while he began to read the opening words of the Psalm: but ere the first sentence was completed, the book dropped from his hand; and Jack started forward, just in time to catch him in his arms.

In most houses there is dire confusion when the head is suddenly stricken down. But Jack and Aunt Emily were equal to an emergency; and while Ada stood sobbing hysterically, with little Ned clinging to her dress, and Charlie looking on bewildered, they used prompt measures to restore consciousness. As for Willie, at a word from Jack he had started off at once for Dr. Deane.

Before his arrival, Dr. Fenway had recovered so