I told her that, whether he were sinned against or sinning, our only thought should be to bring him back and reconcile him to his brother.

"God will prove his innocence if he be blackened falsely," I said to her; and, strange to say, she forgave me my doubts.' 'Oh, Max, I see what you think.' 'How can I help it,' he replied, 'knowing Eric's character so well?
he was so weak and impulsive, so easily led astray, and then he was under bad influences.

You will have heard Edgar Brown's name.

He was a wild, dissipated fellow, and Hamilton had a right to forbid the acquaintance; both he and I knew that Edgar had low propensities, and was always lounging about public-houses with a set of loafers like himself.

He has got worse since then, and has nearly broken his mother's heart.