No matter who asked it; but there were circumstances which saddened and awed me.

I had no heart to speak;--I faltered some miserable, perhaps petulant excuse, stole away, and the first battle of life was lost.

What remorse followed I need not tell.

Then and there, to the best of my knowledge, I first consciously took Sin by the hand and turned my back on Duty.

Time has led me to look upon my offence more leniently; I do not believe it or any other childish wrong is infinite, as some have pretended, but infinitely finite.