"Ask him in." As March entered, only Parson Tombs rose to meet him. He had a large handkerchief in his fingers, his eyes were very red, and he gave his hand in silence. Garnet, too, had been weeping. He shaded his downcast eyes from the lamp. March had determined to give himself no time for feelings, but his voice was suddenly not his own as he began, "Major Garnet," and stopped, while Garnet slowly lifted his face until the light shone on it. March stood still and felt his heart heave between loathing and compassion; for on that lamp-lit face one hour of public shame had written more guilt than years of secret perfidy and sin, and the question rushed upon the young man's mind, Can this be the author of all my misfortunes and the father of?--he quenched the thought and driving back a host of memories said: "Major, Doctor Coffin has just pronounced me well. I am at your disposal, sir, for anything that ought to be done." Garnet shaded his eyes again. "Thank you, John," was his subdued reply. "It's such a clear case of self-defence--I hear there will be no arrest. Still, I shall remain here to-night. Johanna's gone home, I believe. There's only one thing, the deepest yearning of my heart, John; but before I ask that boon, I want you to know, John, that I acknowledge my sin! my awful, awful sin of years! O my God! my God! why did I do it?" Parson Tombs wept again. "He's confessed everything, John," he said with eager tenderness. "God knows," responded Garnet, "God knows I never concealed it but to save others from misery! and while I concealed it I could not master it! Now I have purged my sin-blackened soul of all its hideous secret and evil purpose! The thorn in my flesh is plucked out and I cast myself on the mercy of God and the charity of his people!" "Pra-aise Gawd!" murmured Parson Tombs, "no sinneh eveh done that in va-ain!" "O John," moaned Garnet, "God only knows what I've suffered and must suffer! But it's all right! all right! I pray He may lop off every unfruitful branch of my life--honors, possessions--till nothing is left but Rosemont, the lowly work He called me to, Himself! Let Him make me as one of his hired servants! But, John," he continued while March stood dumb with wonder at his swift loss of subtlety, "I want you to know also that I feel no resentment--I cannot--O I cannot--against her who shares my guilt and shame!" "Great Heaven!" murmured March, with a start as if to turn away. "No, thank God! her vanity and jealousy can drive me to no more misdeeds! She made me send Mademoiselle Eglantine to Europe, when she knew I had to sell her husband's stock in both companies to bribe the woman to go! John, the cause of her betraying me to him at last was my faithful refusal to break off my engagement with your mother!" "Major Garnet, I prefer----" "Will you tell your mother that, John? It's the one thing you can do for me! Tell her I beseech her in the name of a love----"