The night is far spent and the day is at hand.


"As the song of a bird to the call of a star,
As the sun to the eye,
As the anvil of man to the hammers of God,
As the snow to the north
Is my word unto Thy word--to Thy word!
The night is far spent and the day is at hand."

It was Morris who was singing. With growth of years had come increase of
piety, and it was his custom once a week to gather about him such of the
servants as would for the reading of Scripture.

To Jessica the song had no religious significance. By the time it had
passed through the atmosphere of memory and meditation, it carried a
different meaning. Her forehead dropped forward in her fingers, and
remained so until the song ended. Then she sighed, smiled wistfully, and
shook her head.

"Poor fellow! poor--Iberville!" she said, almost beneath her breath.

The next morning she was to be married. George Gering had returned to
her, for the second time defeated by Iberville. He had proved himself a
brave man, and, what was much in her father's sight, he was to have his
share of Phips's booty. And what was still more, Gering had prevailed
upon Phips to allow Mr. Leveret's investment in the first expedition to
receive a dividend from the second. Therefore she was ready to fulfil
her promise. Yet had she misgivings? For, only a few days before, she
had sent for the old pastor at Boston, who had known her since she was a