die；　philosophers　falter　in　wisdom；　and　Christians　in　goodness：　if　any　one　you　know　has　suffered　and　erred；　let　him　look　higher　than　his　equals　for　strength　to　amend　and　solace　to　heal。”

“But　the　instrument—the　instrument！　God；　who　does　the　work；　ordains　the　instrument。　I　have　myself—I　tell　it　you　without　parable—been　a　worldly；　dissipated；　restless　man；　and　I　believe　I　have　found　the　instrument　for　my　cure　in—”

He　paused：　the　birds　went　on　carolling；　the　leaves　lightly　rustling。　I　almost　wondered　they　did　not　check　their　songs　and　whispers　to　catch　the　suspended　revelation；　but　they　would　have　had　to　wait　many　minutes—so　long　was　the　silence　protracted。　At　last　I　looked　up　at　the　tardy　speaker：　he　was　looking　eagerly　at　me。

“Little　friend；”　said　he；　in　quite　a　changed　tone—while　his　face　changed　too；　losing　all　its　softness　and　gravity；　and　being　harsh　and　sarcastic—“you　have　noticed　my　tender　penchant　for　Miss　Ingram：　don’t　you　think　if　I　married　her　she　would　regenerate　me　with　a　vengeance？”

He　got　up　instantly；　went　quite　to　the　other　end　of　the　walk；　and　when　he　came　back　he　was　humming　a　tune。

“Jane；　Jane；”　said　he；　stopping　before　me；　“you　are　quite　pale　with　your　vigils：　don’t　you　curse　me　for　disturbing　your　rest？”

“Curse　you？　No；　sir。”

“Shake　hands　in　confirmation　of　the　word。　What　cold　fingers！　They　were　warmer　last　night　when　I　touched　them　at　the　door　of　the　mysterious　chamber。　Jane；　when　will　you　watch　with　me　again？”

“Whenever　I　can　be　useful；　sir。”

“For　instance；　the　night　before　I　am　married！　I　am　sure　I　shall　not　be　able　to　sleep。　Will　you　promise　to　sit　up　with　me　to　bear　me　pany？　To　you　I　can　talk　of　my　lovely　one：　for　now　you　have　seen　her　and　know　her。”

“Yes；　sir。”

“She’s