"You really wrong yourself! It is impossible,--for me at least, not to be interested in you,--even for our dear Lord's sake.

It troubles me to the inmost depths of my soul to behold in you one of the foolish virgins whose light hath been extinguished for lack of the saving oil,--to see you wandering as a lost sheep in the paths of darkness and error, without a hand to rescue your steps from the near and dreadful precipice! Ay, truly!.

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my spirit yearneth for you as a mother for an own babe--fain would I save you from the devices of the evil one,--fain would I--" here the minister drew out his handkerchief and pressed it lightly to his eyes,--then, as if with an effort overcoming his emotion, he added, with the gravity of a butcher presenting an extortionate bill, "but first,--before my own humble desires for your salvation--first, ere I go further in converse, it behoveth me to enter on the Lord's business!" Thelma bent her head slightly, with an air as though she said: "Indeed; pray do not be long about it!" And, leaning back against the porch, she waited somewhat impatiently.
"The image I have just restored to you," went on Mr.Dyceworthy in his most pompous and ponderous manner, "you say belonged to your unhappy--" "She was not unhappy," interposed the girl, calmly.
"Ay, ay!" and the minister nodded with a superior air of wisdom.