Are you then better, or greater, or purer than millions who have gone before you, that for you and you alone this thing should be done?
Why, were it not that you are mad, you would be among the chief of sinners; you who dare to ask that the Powers of Heaven should be set within your feeble hand, that the Angels of Heaven should wait upon your mortal breath.

Worm that you are, has God need of such as you?
If it is His will to turn the heart of yonder people He will do it, but not by means of _you_.

You and the servant whom you are deluding to his death will perish miserably, and this alone shall be the fruit of your presumptuous sin.

Get you back out of this wilderness before the madness takes you afresh.

You are still young, you have wealth; look where She stands yonder whom you desire.
Get you back, and forget your folly in her arms." These thoughts, and many others of like nature, tore Owen's soul in that hour of strange and terrible temptation.