In various ways he sought to justify his conduct.

At length he said, half aloud-- "No matter.

He deserved it for something else, and has received only his deserts.

Let him behave himself properly, and he'll never be the subject of unjust censure." It was thus that the cold-hearted father settled, with his own conscience, this question of wrong toward his child.

And yet he was a man who prayed in his family, and regularly, with pious observance, attended upon the ordinances of the church.