Nor could I doubt but that letter had wrought this sudden change in my favour.
Where, now, was all my high-souled resolutions?
Human nature prevailed, and I yielded to the temptation.

There sat Robert Moncton, gazing complacently upon me, from beneath those stern, dark brows, his glittering eyes no longer freezing me with their icy shine, but regarding me with a calm, approving smile: no longer the evil genius of my childhood, but a munificent spirit intent to do me good.
Ah, I was young--very young, and the world in my narrow circle had dealt hardly with me.

I longed for freedom, for emancipation from constant toil.

This must plead an excuse for my criminal weakness.
Years of painful experience, in the ways and wiles of men, had not as yet perfected the painful lesson taught me in after-years.

Young, ardent, and willing to believe the best I could of my species, I began to think that I alone had been to blame; that I had wronged my uncle, and thrust upon his shoulders the burden of injuries which I had received from his son.
The evil influence of that son had been removed, and he was now willing to be my friend; and I determined to bury the past in oblivion, and to believe him really and truly so.
I shook him warmly by the hand, and entreated his forgiveness for the hard thoughts I had entertained, and thanked him sincerely for his offers of service.
The light faded from his eye.