You have grown in many things more lax; possibly you do right to be so--and at any account, it is the same with all men.

But granting that, are you in any one particular, however trifling, more difficult to please with your own conduct, or do you go in all things with a looser rein ?' 'In any one ?' repeated Markheim, with an anguish of consideration.

'No,' he added, with despair, 'in none! I have gone down in all.' 'Then,' said the visitor, 'content yourself with what you are, for you will never change; and the words of your part on this stage are irrevocably written down.' Markheim stood for a long while silent, and indeed it was the visitor who first broke the silence.

'That being so,' he said, 'shall I show you the money ?' 'And grace ?' cried Markheim.
'Have you not tried it ?' returned the other.

'Two or three years ago, did I not see you on the platform of revival meetings, and was not your voice the loudest in the hymn ?' 'It is true,' said Markheim; 'and I see clearly what remains for me by way of duty.