Page 460 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

fire’, ‘the bubbling brimstone’, the ‘bottomless pit’, from out
of which the ‘smoke of his torment’ should ascend for ever
and ever. Before his eyes was held no image of a tender Sav-
iour (with hands soft to soothe, and eyes brimming with
ineffable pity) dying crucified that he and other malefactors
might have hope, by thinking on such marvellous human-
ity. The worthy Pharisee who was sent to him to teach him
how mankind is to be redeemed with Love, preached only
that harsh Law whose barbarous power died with the gentle
Nazarene on Calvary.
Repelled by this unlooked-for ending to his hopes, he
let the book fall to the ground. ‘Is there, then, nothing but
torment for me in this world or the next?’ he groaned, shud-
dering. Presently his eyes sought his right hand, resting
upon it as though it were not his own, or had some secret
virtue which made it different from the other. ‘He would
not have done this? He would not have thrust upon me
these savage judgments, these dreadful threats of Hell and
Death. He called me ‘Brother’!’ And filled with a strange
wild pity for himself, and yearning love towards the man
who befriended him, he fell to nursing the hand on which
North’s tears had fallen, moaning and rocking himself to
and fro.
Meekin, in the morning, found his pupil more sullen
than ever.
‘Have you learned these texts, my man?’ said he, cheer-
fully, willing not to be angered with his uncouth and
unpromising convert.
Rufus Dawes pointed with his foot to the Bible, which