Ever loving, tender, patient, forbearing, and true-hearted had Mary been.

Not once in the whole of their married life had she jarred the chord that bound them together, with a touch of discord.

He could only think of her, therefore, with love, and a feeling of attraction; and this it was that saved him in the present hour.

Starting up suddenly, he said, "I will go home: why have I hesitated an instant?
My poor Mary! Heaven knows you have already suffered enough through my short-comings and wanderings from the way of right and duty.

I am walking a narrow path, with destruction on either hand: if I get over safely, it will be through you as my sustaining angel." A skilful limner, at least in this instance, was the imagination of Wilkinson.