“I know it, sir; I know it; for you would say, 'If I could not save him who can I hope to?'” “You would not like to break my heart--to discourage your friend and brother in the good work, the difficult work?” “I would rather die; if it is to be so I pray Heaven to strike me dead in this room while I am fit to die!” “Don't say that; live to repair your crimes and to make me prouder of you than a mother of her first-born.” He paused and walked the room in silence. Presently he stopped in front of Robinson. “You have often said you owed me something.” “My life and my soul's salvation,” was the instant reply. “I ask a return; square the account with me.” “That I can never do.” “You can! I will take two favors in return for all you say I have done for you. No idle words--but yes or no upon your honor. Will you grant them or won't you?” “I will, upon my honor.” “One is that you will pray very often, not only morning and evening, but at sunset, at that dangerous hour to you when evil association begins; at that hour honest men retire out of sight and rogues come abroad like vermin and wild beasts; but most of all at any hour of the day or night a temptation comes near you, at that moment pray! Don't wait to see how strong the temptation is, and whether you can't conquer it without help from above. At the sight of an enemy put on heavenly armor--pray! No need to kneel or to go apart. Two words secretly cast heavenward, 'Lord, help me,' are prayer. Will you so pray?” “Yes!” “Then give me your hand; here is a plain gold ring to recall this sacred promise; put it on, wear it, and look at it, and never lose it or forget your promise.” “Them that take it must cut my hand off with it.” “Enough, it is a promise. My second request is that the moment you are free you will go and stay with an honest man.” “I ask no better, sir, if he will have me.” “George Fielding; he has a farm near Bathurst.” “George Fielding, sir? He affronted me when I was in trouble. It was no more than I deserved. I forgive him; but you don't know the lad, sir. He would not speak to me; he would not look at me. He would turn his back on me if we ran against one another in a wilderness.” “Here is a talisman that will insure you a welcome from him--a letter from the woman he loves. Come, yes or no?” “I will, sir, for your sake, not for theirs. Sir, do pray give me something harder to do for you than these two things!” “No, I won't overweight you--nor encumber your memory with pledges--these two and no more. And here we part. See what it is to sin against society. I, whom your conversation has so interested, to whom your company is so agreeable--in one word, I, who love you, can find no kinder word to say to you to-day than this--let me never see your face again--let me never hear your name in this world!” His voice trembled as he said these words--and he wrung Robinson's hand, and Robinson groaned and turned away.