Page:Blind Allan (2).pdf/17

17 It chanced at this time, that among a party who were visiting his straw manufactory, there was a surgeon celebrated for his skill in operations upon the eye, who expressed an opinion that Allan's sight might be at least partially restored, and offer- ed not only to perform the operation, but if Allan would reside some weeks in Edinburgh, to see him every day, till it was known whether his ease was or was not a hopeless one. Allan's circum- stances were now such as to make a few weeks, or even months confinement of no importance to him; and though he said to his wife that he was averse to submit to an operation that might disturb the long formed quiet and contentment of his mind by hopes never to be realized, yet those hopes of once more seeing Heaven's dear light gradually removed all his repugnance. His eyes were couched, and when the bandages were removed, and the soft broken light let in upon him, Allan Bruce was no longer among the number of the blind.

There was no uncontrollable burst of joy in the soul of Allan Bruce when once more a communi- cation was opened between it and the visible world. For he had learned lessons of humility and tem- perance in all his emotions during ten years of blindness, in which the hope of light was too faint to deserve the name. He was almost afraid to be- lieve his sight was restored. Grateful to him was its first uncertain and wavering glimmer, as a