For an answer, Helen pointed to a few lines in a Bible which lay open on the library table:  no doubt her father had been reading out of it, for it was open at that portion which seems to have plumbed the depth of all human anguish—­the Book of Job.  She repeated the verses: 

“’When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me;

“’Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him: 

“’The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.’

“That is what will be said of you one day, Lord Cairnforth.  Is not this something worth living for?”

“Ay, it is!” replied the earl, deeply moved; and Helen was scarcely less so.

They discussed no more the journey to Edinburg; but Lord Cairnforth, in his decided way, gave orders immediately to prepare for it, taking with him, as usual, Malcolm and Mrs. Campbell.  By the time Captain Bruce returned from his ride, the guest was startled by the news that his host meant to quit Cairnforth at daylight the next morning, which appeared to disconcert the captain exceedingly.

“I would volunteer to accompany you, cousin,” said he, after expressing his extreme surprise and regret, “but the winds of Edinburg are ruin to my weak lungs, which the air here suits so well.  So I must prepare to quit pleasant Cairnforth, where I have received so much kindness, and which I have grown to regard almost like home—­the nearest approach to home that in my sad, wandering life I ever knew.”

There was an unmistakable regret in the young man’s tone which, in spite of his own trouble, went to the earl’s good heart.

“Why should you leave at all?” said he.  “Why not remain here and await my return, which can not be long delayed—­two months at most—­even counting my slow traveling?  I will give you something to do meanwhile:  I will make you viceroy of Cairnforth during my absence—­that is, under Miss Cardross, who alone knows all the parish affairs—­and mine.  Will you accept the office?”

“Under Miss Cardross?” Captain Bruce laughed, but did not seem quite to relish it.  However, he expressed much gratitude at having been thought worthy of the earl’s confidence.

“Don’t be humble, my good cousin and friend.  If I did not trust you, and like you, I should never think of asking you to stay.  Mr. Cardross —­Helen—­what do you say to my plan”?

Both gave a cordial assent, as was indeed certain.  Nothing ill was known of Captain Bruce, and nothing noticed in him unlikeable, or unworthy of liking.  And even as to his family, who wrote to him constantly, and whose letters he often showed, there had appeared sufficient evidence in their favor to counterbalance much of the suspicions against them, so that the earl was glad he had leaned to the charitable side in making his cousin welcome to Cairnforth; glad, too, that he could atone by warm confidence and extra kindness for what now seemed too long a neglect of those who were really his nearest kith and kin.