I believe I am right." "You surprise me, brother! I don't understand you." "Wait awhile! I want to make my feelings very clear to you, but I don't know where to begin, or how to express myself." "It is, indeed, an extraordinary subject for us to have to talk about; but if once I get clear of this girl, I'll wash my hands of all such cases again." Her brother was not attending to her; he was reducing his own ideas to form.
"Faith, do you know I rejoice in this child's advent ?" "May God forgive you, Thurstan!--if you know what you are saying.
But, surely, it is a temptation, dear Thurstan." "I do not think it is a delusion.

The sin appears to me to be quite distinct from its consequences." "Sophistry--and a temptation," said Miss Benson, decidedly.
"No, it is not," said her brother, with equal decision.

"In the eye of God, she is exactly the same as if the life she has led had left no trace behind.

We knew her errors before, Faith." "Yes, but not this disgrace--this badge of her shame!" "Faith, Faith! let me beg of you not to speak so of the little innocent babe, who may be God's messenger to lead her back to Him.
Think again of her first words--the burst of nature from her heart! Did she not turn to God, and enter into a covenant with Him--'I will be so good ?' Why, it draws her out of herself! If her life has hitherto been self-seeking, and wickedly thoughtless, here is the very instrument to make her forget herself, and be thoughtful for another.

Teach her (and God will teach her, if man does not come between) to reverence her child; and this reverence will shut out sin,--will be purification." He was very much excited; he was even surprised at his own excitement; but his thoughts and meditations through the long afternoon had prepared his mind for this manner of viewing the subject.
"These are quite new ideas to me," said Miss Benson, coldly.