CHAPTER V.
The Denunciation.
For a short space, Mrs.Sheppard remained dissolved in tears.

She then dried her eyes, and laying her child gently upon the floor, knelt down beside him.

"Open my heart, Father of Mercy!" she murmured, in a humble tone, and with downcast looks, "and make me sensible of the error of my ways.

I have sinned deeply; but I have been sorely tried.

Spare me yet a little while, Father! not for my own sake, but for the sake of this poor babe." Her utterance was here choked by sobs.