[ While, confined in Bedford jail (12 years) visited by his wife and blind child.]

After a few tender inquiries in reference to the blind child, Bunyan briefly recounted the incidents of his arrest, then ended as follows :-

"On the morning after, we sent to Justice Compton of Elstow, but he refused to release me, though I had broken no law whatsoever; still I am content that, if my lying here will serve the cause of God, I will lie here till my flesh drops from my bones. Let it be as God will.

"True, beloved, but we will do our utmost; the house is so dull without thee. Thy little Mary sits pining for thy voice, and the other two are often crying for father. It goes to my heart to see them craving for thee. And some that I thought better off will not pay what they owe thee. William Swinton, the sexton of St. Cuthbert, owes thee a matter of five pounds, ye know; now he says not a penny will he pay thee. Yet I am proud of thee. Yield not, John, for we will beg from door to door before thou shalt yield for our sakes, to do what ye feel to be wrong in the sight of God. I pray much that we may see thee again by our fireside, and I look through the stone lattice often, longing to see thy brave face through the pane; but I pray more that thou mightest stand fast, like David against the giant, that thou shalt one day too conquer. Think not of us, but be firm."

"Ay, that I will," said Bunyan, who had nestled the blind girl in his arms; "but what will my Mary do if her father has to die for the truth?"

"Do, father? why, love thee all the more, and pray for them that shall kill thee, and come as quickly as I may to be with thee. Oh, father ! I shall look upon thy dear face in heaven. How I strive to picture thee ! but I should like to see thee as thou really art. When I feel thy warm breath upon my cheek, and rest in thy arms, I feel I fear naught and want naught. But oh, father! my mother taught me that thou art Christ's servant, and I am proud that thou art called to suffer, while the great ones deny the Lord."

" My little maiden, then, loves my Lord ?" asked Bunyan, bending with tearful eyes over the clear, white face radiant with love the eyes could not speak.

"Ay, father! I have loved Him a little for a long time, but I have loved Him, I cannot tell how much, since these dark days began. When mother and I sat trembling, and wondering how thou wert faring when from home in the time of trouble, how I prayed for thee, and I felt thy God was my God, and I would serve Him too."

" But 'tis not enough, darling, to 'say that ye love Christ. What about thy sins ?"

" Oh, father, I have confessed them all, and repented of them, and I do accept Jesus as my Saviour. I feel more certain every day that He has forgiven my sins. Is it not sweet to feel this-we are tied together by a bond that nothing can ever break?"

"Ay, it is, dear one; and in thy love and the love of thy mother, I feel brave and strong. Ye help me not a little to stand without blenching in the time of trial."