Alas! the tide of fate was running strong against my poor David.

What could I do but stand aside and watch?
"When was it?
Let me see--five, six years ago.

But, indeed, 'tis nothing." "Not exactly 'nothing.' Do tell me!" And John stood, listening for her words, counting them even, as one would count, drop by drop, a vial of joy which is nearly empty, yet Time's remorseless hand still keeps on, pouring, pouring.
"Well, if you must know it, it was one of my naughtinesses--I was very naughty as a child.

They would not let me have a piece of bread that I wanted to give away to a poor lad." "Who stood opposite--under an alley--in the rain ?--was it not so ?" "How could you know?
But he looked so hungry; I was so sorry for him." "Were you ?"--in a tone almost inaudible.
"I have often thought of him since, when I chanced to look at this mark." "Let me look at it--may I ?" Taking her hand, he softly put back the sleeve, discovering, just above the wrist, a deep, discoloured seam.

He gazed at it, his features all quivering, then, without a word either of adieu or apology, he quitted the room..