CHAPTER VI.
Victory.
MIRIAM'S ring at the door of Mrs. Mellor's dwelling was answered by Caroline. The girl looked pale, and her eyes were swollen as if with crying.
"Caroline," said Miriam at once, for every moment of delay made the effort of speaking more painful, "I am sorry for what passed this afternoon between us."
"I'm sure that you are not more sorry than I am!" cried Caroline. "I wish that silver knife had been at the bottom of the sea—I heartily do—mistress is so displeased with me, and I never thought that I was doing such mischief by speaking a word."
"Let us both forgive and forget," said Miriam, and she held out her hand.
Poor Caroline shook it readily and heartily, she was surprised and relieved at the thundercloud having so rapidly passed away. Caroline was not of a proud or passionate temper herself and had cowered beneath the tempest of anger which she had thoughtlessly raised.
Nothing had ever convinced Caroline so much of the power of religion as Miriam's saying, as she did now, "I am sorry that I used such language towards you."
Caroline knew Miriam's character well enough to feel assured that no earthly motive would have brought her to humble herself thus to one who had deeply offended her.
Miriam passed up the staircase quickly, her mind relieved of a heavy burden. She had found the performance of duty less painful than she had expected, and it was such a comfort to be again at peace with herself and with all the world. The beautiful words of St. Paul recurred to her mind with more force than they ever had done before: "let all bitterness and wrath, and anger and clamour, and evil-speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven you." *
* Eph. iv. 31, 32.
On the landing-place, Miriam happened to meet her mistress. There was still a grave expression of displeasure upon Mrs. Mellor's face, as she thus addressed her young servant.
"Have you seen your brother, Miriam?"
On Miriam's replying that she had just done so, the lady continued, in the same cold manner, "And what does he think of the hasty step which you have taken in giving me warning?"
"He thinks it a foolish one, ma'am," replied Miriam, colouring up to her eyes, and pressing the bannister tightly with her hand, for it was hard to a proud spirit to make the humbling confession.
"Then perhaps you would wish to remain in my service still," said the lady, "and I should be very willing to keep you, and overlook the burst of temper into which you were betrayed in my presence, had I reason to hope that such bursts would not again recur. But I cannot," continued Mrs. Mellor, "have perpetual quarrelling in my kitchen; I cannot keep two servants who will not live in harmony together, I must—and will have my house an abode of peace, as every Christian home should be."
"Oh! Ma'am, if you would but try me," cried Miriam. "Caroline and I have made up our quarrel, and I hope that it will be our last."
The face of Mrs. Mellor brightened. "If such be the case," said the lady, "I will gladly try you again."
And never had Mrs. Mellor cause to regret having done so. It was not that Miriam was never again tempted to give way to a temper naturally violent; it was not that the hasty word would not rise to her tongue, nor the angry blood to her cheek; evil habits and evil tempers are not to be conquered without a struggle, sometimes long as well as severe.
But both Miriam and Hamil had learned to keep watch against besetting sins, and knew where to look for help in their time of need; they both pressed onwards where duty called them, as faithful soldiers of the cross; and they hoped one day to join in the song of triumph which the redeemed will raise: "thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." *
* 1 Cor. xv. 57.
A LIGHT
OR,
A CHRISTIAN IN INFLUENCE.