He remembered Louis' words, "Pray to God;" and one murmured petition was whispered in the stillness of the night, "Lord have mercy on a great sinner." Since his disgrace, Louis generally had his brother for a companion during their walks; but the next morning Ferrers joined him, and asked Louis to walk with him to the downs.

They were both naturally silent for the beginning of the walk; but on Louis making some remark, Ferrers said, "I can't think of any thing just now, Louis; I have done every thing wrong to-day.

My only satisfaction is in telling you how much I feel your goodness.

I can't think how you can endure me." "Oh, Ferrers!" said Louis, "what am I that I should not bear you?
and if you are really sorry, and wish to be better, I think I may some day love you." "_That_ you can never do, Louis,--you must hate and despise me." "No, I do not," said Louis, kindly; "I am very sorry for you." "You must have felt very angry." "I did feel very unkind and shocked at first," replied Louis; "but by God's grace I learned afterwards to feel very differently, and you can't think how often I have pitied you since." "Pitied _me_!" said Ferrers.
"Oh yes," replied Louis, sweetly; "because I am sure you must have been very unhappy with the knowledge of sin in your heart--I don't think there is any thing so hard as remorse to bear." "I did not feel much sorrow till you were so kind to me," said Ferrers.
"What a wretch you must think me!" "I have sinned too greatly myself to judge very hardly of you; and when I think of all the love shown to me, I feel anxious to show some love to others; and I should be afraid, if I thought too hardly of you, I should soon be left to find out what I am." Ferrers did not reply; he did not understand the motives which induced Louis' forbearance and gentleness, for he was an entire stranger to religion, and never having met with any one resembling Louis, could not comprehend, though he did not fail to admire, his character, now its beauty was so conspicuously before him.

He felt there was an immeasurable distance between them--for the first time he found himself wanting.