"Our mutual kind friend the bishop has proved to me how proud and how
foolish I have been. Forgive me, dear Frank, for I too have suffered
much; and come as soon as possible to your ever affectionate EMILY."
This, then, was the object of the venerable bishop's absence. Bending
beneath age and infirmity, he had undertaken a journey of three hundred
miles, in order to ensure the temporal as well as eternal welfare of a
perfect stranger--to effect a reconciliation, without which he saw that
my worldly happiness was incomplete. I was afterwards informed, that
notwithstanding the weight of his character and holy office, he had
found Emily more decided in her rejection than he had anticipated; and
it was not until he had sharply rebuked her for her pride and
unforgiving temper, that she could be brought to listen with patience to
his arguments. But having at length convinced her that the tenure of
her own hopes depended on the forgiveness of others, she relented,
acknowledged the truth of his remarks, and her undiminished affection
for me. While she made this confession, she was in the same position
before the bishop that I was when I received her letter--on my knees,
and in tears.
He gave me his hand, raised me up, "And now, my young friend," said he,
"let me give you one caution. I hope and I trust that your repentance
is sincere. If it be not, the guilt must rest on your head; but I trust
in God that all is as it should be. I will not, therefore, detain you
any longer: you must be impatient to be gone. Refreshment is prepared
for you: my horses will take you the first stage. Have you funds
sufficient to carry you through? for it is a long journey, as my old
bones can testify."
I assured him that I was sufficiently provided; and, expressing my
thanks for his kindness, wished that it was in my power to prove my
gratitude. "Put me to the test, my lord," said I, "if you possibly
can."
"Well, then," replied he, "I will. When the day for your union with
Miss Somerville is fixed, allow me to have the pleasure of joining your
hands, should it please God to spare me so long. I have removed the
disease; but I must trust to somebody else to watch and prevent a
relapse. And believe me, my dear friend, however well inclined a man
may be to keep in the straight path, he gains no little support from the
guidance and example of a lovely and virtuous woman."
I promised readily all he asked; and, having finished a slight lunch,
again shook hands with the worthy prelate, jumped into my carriage, and
drove off. I travelled all night; and the next day was in the society
of those I loved, and who had ever loved me, in spite of all my
perverseness and folly.
A few weeks after, Emily and I were united by the venerable bishop, who,
with much emotion, gave us his benediction; and, as the prayer of the
righteous man availeth much, I felt that it was recorded in our favour
in heaven. Mr Somerville gave the bride away. My father, with Talbot
and Clara, were present; and the whole of us, after all my strange
vicissitudes, were deeply affected at this reconciliation and union.