Oh, Faith! once for all, do not accuse me of questionable morality, when I am trying more than ever I did in my life to act as my blessed Lord would have done." He was very much agitated.

His sister hesitated, and then she spoke more softly than before.
"But, Thurstan, everything might have been done to 'lead her right' (as you call it), without this child, this miserable offspring of sin." "The world has, indeed, made such children miserable, innocent as they are; but I doubt if this be according to the will of God, unless it be His punishment for the parents' guilt; and even then the world's way of treatment is too apt to harden the mother's natural love into something like hatred.

Shame, and the terror of friends' displeasure, turn her mad--defile her holiest instincts; and, as for the fathers--God forgive them! I cannot--at least, not just now." Miss Benson thought on what her brother said.

At length she asked, "Thurstan (remember I'm not convinced), how would you have this girl treated according to your theory ?" "It will require some time, and much Christian love, to find out the best way.

I know I'm not very wise; but the way I think it would be right to act in, would be this--" He thought for some time before he spoke, and then said: "She has incurred a responsibility--that we both acknowledge.