306 BERTHA'S VISIT TO HER 



Newnham to see the poor travellers, of whom we 

 had heard nothing for some time. 



Beyond all our hopes they found Bertram 

 considerably tetter. My aunt had requested her 

 own physician to attend him, and he is now so 

 much recovered, that if the weather continue 

 mild he is to set out to-morrow on his way home. 

 The old gentleman arrived last week ; and though 

 great agitation was caused at first by their meet- 

 ing, yet it seemed to have a favorable effect on 

 Bertram, as the anxiety and fear of never seeing 

 his poor old father again had preyed on his 

 mind. 



Madeleine's spirits are a little improved ; she 

 allows herself once more to hope, but she is 

 prepared to submit with true Christian resigna- 

 tion to whatever happens. She is relieved too 

 from all anxiety in regard to her new father ; he 

 received her as a daughter, and expresses the 

 greatest Underness for her and her pretty little 

 child ; who has learned to say (t dear grandpapa" 

 among the few English words she has picked up. 



When my aunt went in, she found him just 

 going to read prayers to his son ; she begged of 

 him to go on, and she says nothing could be 

 more touching than the scene the weak but 

 solemn voice of the pious old man ; the calm- 

 ness and devotion in the countenance of the 

 son, and the gleam of hope that shone over Ma- 

 deleine's subdued and sad countenance. 



