You know not what a wretched guilty thing I am.

You know not in what dark places my life has been cast; with what crimes it has been stained.

But the offences I _have_ committed are venial in comparison with what I should commit were I to wed your father.

No--no, it must never be." "You paint yourself worse than you are, dear Mrs.Sheppard," rejoined Winifred kindly.

"Your faults were the faults of circumstances." "Palliate them as you may," replied the widow, gravely, "they _were_ faults; and as such, cannot be repaired by a greater wrong.