“Do you think, with the minister of this morning, that, except in very rare cases, we--we Christians, have no right to exact a life for a life? Or do you believe, on religious as well as rational grounds, that every man-slayer, should inevitably be hanged?” I have often puzzled over that question, which Doctor Urquhart evidently felt as much as I did. Truly, many a time have I turned sick at the hangings which I have had to read to papa in the newspapers--have wakened at seven in the morning, and counted, minute by minute some wretched convict's last hour--till the whole scene grew so vivid that the execution seemed more of a murder than the original crime of which it was the expiation. But still, to say that there ought to be no capital punishments? I could not tell. I only repeated softly, words that came into my mind at that instant. “_For we know that no murderer hath eternal life in him?_ “But if he were _not_ a wilful murderer?--if life were taken--let us suppose such a case--in violent passion, or under circumstances which made the man not himself?--if his crime were repented of and atoned for in every possible way--the lost life re-purchased by his own--not by dying, but by the long torment of living?” “Yes,” I said, “I could well imagine a convict's existence, or that of one convicted in his own conscience--a duellist, for instance--far more terrible than death upon the scaffold.” “You are right; I have seen such cases.” No doubt he has, since, as an officer once told me, the army still holds duelling to be the necessary defence of a gentleman's “honor.” The recollections aroused were apparently very sore; so much so that I suggested our changing the subject, which seemed both painful and unprofitable. “Not quite. Besides, would you quit a truth because it happened to be painful? That is not like you.” “I hope not.” After a few minutes' silence, he continued:--“This is a question I have thought over deeply. I have my own opinion concerning it, and I know that of most men; but I should like to hear a woman's--a Christian woman's. Tell me, do you believe the avenger of blood walks through the Christian world, as through the land of Israel, requiring retribution; that for blood-shedding as for all other crimes, there is, in this world, whatever there may be in another, expiation, but no pardon. Think well, answer slowly, for it is a momentous question.” “I know that--the one question of our times.” Doctor Urquhart bent his head without replying. He hardly could speak; I never saw him so terribly in earnest. His agitation roused me from the natural shyness I have in lifting up my own voice and setting forth my own girlish opinion on topics of which every one has a right to think, but very few to speak.