Part 104 (1/2)
”And was it by my being lost that you came here to Westminster and found me?”
”Yes, and myself as well.”
”And I thought my life had been wasted! When one thinks of G.o.d's designs one feels humble--humble as the gra.s.s at one's feet----But are you sure you will never regret?”
”Never!”
”Nor look back?”
She tossed her head again. ”Call me Mrs. Lot at once, and have done with it.”
”It's wonderful! What a glorious work is before you, Glory! You'll take it up where I have left it, and carry it on and on. You are n.o.bler than I am, and stronger, far stronger, and purer and braver. And haven't I said all along that what the world wants now is a great woman? I had the pith of it all, though I saw the true light--but I was not worthy. I had sinned and fallen, and didn't know my own heart, and was not fit to enter into the promised land. It is something, nevertheless, that I see it a long way off. And if I have been taken up to Sinai and heard the thunders of the everlasting law----”
”Hush, dear! Somebody is coming.”
It was the great surgeon whom the Prime Minister had sent for. He examined the injuries carefully and gave certain instructions. ”Mind you do this, Sister,” and that, and the other. But Glory could see that he had no hope. To relieve the pain in the head he wanted to administer morphia, but John refused to have it.
”I am going into the presence of the King,” he said. ”Let me have all my wits about me.”
While the doctor was there the police sergeant returned with a magistrate and the reporter. ”Sorry to intrude, but hearing your patient was now conscious----” and then he prepared to take John's deposition.
The reporter opened his notebook, the police magistrate stood at the foot of the bed, the doctor at one side of it and Glory at the other side, holding John's hand and quivering.
”Do you know who struck you, sir?”
There was silence for a moment, and then came ”Yes.”
”Who was it?”
There was another pause, and then, ”Don't ask me.”
”But your own evidence will be most valuable; and, indeed, down to the present we have no other. Who is it, sir?”
”I can't tell you.”
”But why?”
There was no answer.
”Why not give me the name of the scoundrel who took---- I mean attempted to take your life?”
Then in a voice that was hardly audible, with his head thrown back and his eyes on the ceiling, John said, ”Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!”
It was useless to go further. Glory saw the four men to the door.
”You must keep him quiet,” said the doctor. ”Not that anything can save him, but he is a man of stubborn will.”
And the police magistrate said, ”It may be all very fine to forgive your enemies, but everybody has his duty to society, as well as to himself.”