Whatever mass of evil may have fallen into your life, -- pardon me, but your own words suggest it,--you are still as capable as ever of many high and heroic virtues.

But the white shining purity of Hilda's nature is a thing apart; and she is bound, by the undefiled material of which God moulded her, to keep that severity which I, as well as you, have recognized." "O, you are right!" said Miriam; "I never questioned it; though, as I told you, when she cast me off, it severed some few remaining bonds between me and decorous womanhood.

But were there anything to forgive, I do forgive her.

May you win her virgin heart; for methinks there can be few men in this evil world who are not more unworthy of her than yourself.".