" But after a little time he relapsed
again into a condition of partial unconsciousness.
Chapter LIV. Life and trust.
Ida did not leave the refuge of her room for several hours after
her return from the memorable visit to Mr. Eltinge's garden,--for
far more than the long hot drive, her heroic, spiritual conflict
with temptation, the sense of immeasurable loss, and the overwhelming
sorrow that followed, had exhausted her. As she rallied from her
deep depression, which was physical as well as mental, and found
that she could think connectedly, she turned to her Bible in the
hope of discovering some comforting and reassuring truths spoken
by that Friend for whose sake she had given up so much.
These words caught her attention, and in accordance with the
simplicity and directness of her nature she built upon them her
only hope for the future: "HE THAT LOSETH HIS LIFE FOR MY SAKE
SHALL FIND IT!"
She sighed: "I have lost that which is life and more than life
to me, and it was for Christ's sake. It was because he forgave me
and was kind in that awful moment when my crime was crushing my
soul. I could not have given up my chance of happiness just because
it was right, but the thought that he asked it and that it was for
his sake, turned the wavering scale; and now I will trust him to
find my life for me again in his own time and way.
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