Could it be to dash away a tear?
When he had done, there was an interval spent in clearing his throat and staring out of the window, and then, after whistling a few bars of a favourite air, he turned round, gave me back the letters, and silently shook me by the hand.
'I've been a cursed rascal, God knows,' said he, as he gave it a hearty squeeze, 'but you see if I don't make amends for it--d--n me if I don't!' 'Don't curse yourself, Mr.Hattersley; if God had heard half your invocations of that kind, you would have been in hell long before now--and you cannot make amends for the past by doing your duty for the future, inasmuch as your duty is only what you owe to your Maker, and you cannot do more than fulfil it: another must make amends for your past delinquencies.

If you intend to reform, invoke God's blessing, His mercy, and His aid; not His curse.' 'God help me, then--for I'm sure I need it.

Where's Milicent ?' 'She's there, just coming in with her sister.' He stepped out at the glass door, and went to meet them.

I followed at a little distance.

Somewhat to his wife's astonishment, he lifted her off from the ground, and saluted her with a hearty kiss and a strong embrace; then placing his two hands on her shoulders, he gave her, I suppose, a sketch of the great things he meant to do, for she suddenly threw her arms round him, and burst into tears, exclaiming,--'Do, do, Ralph--we shall be so happy! How very, very good you are!' 'Nay, not I,' said he, turning her round, and pushing her towards me.
'Thank her; it's her doing.' Milicent flew to thank me, overflowing with gratitude.