Alas! the
shrinking from suffering we cannot help. That part of her prayer
was vain. And as for the rest, was not the sure justice of His
law finding out even now? His laws once broken, His justice and
the very nature of those laws bring the immutable retribution;
but, if we turn penitently to Him, He enables us to bear our
punishment with a meek and docile heart, "for His mercy endureth
for ever."
Mr. Bradshaw had felt himself rather wanting in proper attention
to his guest, inasmuch as he had been unable, all in a minute, to
comprehend Mr. Donne's rapid change of purpose; and, before it
had entered into his mind that, notwithstanding the distance of
the church, Mr. Donne was going thither, that gentleman was out
of the sight, and far out of the reach, of his burly host. But
though the latter had so far neglected the duties of hospitality
as to allow his visitor to sit in the Eagle's Crag pew with no
other guard of honour than the children and the governess, Mr.
Bradshaw determined to make up for it by extra attention during
the remainder of the day. Accordingly he never left Mr. Donne.
Whatever wish that gentleman expressed, it was the study of his
host to gratify. Did he hint at the pleasure which a walk in such
beautiful scenery would give him, Mr. Bradshaw was willing to
accompany him, although at Eccleston it was a principle with him
not to take any walks for pleasure on a Sunday.
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