Do you call it nothing to tread earth with a free, fearless step, to dread looking no man in the face? Do you call it nothing to have a character unstained, to hear the voice of an approving conscience, and to be able to ask in prayer for those blessings which we have taken no guilty means to obtain? The thoughts of Walter were full of new plans of industry, while he more slowly returned to his home. As he approached the little gate of Viner's shop, some one came out of it into the street, bidding a cheerful good-bye to those within. It was with a feeling of annoyance that Walter saw the only being on earth whom he really disliked—Ned Goldie, the fruiterer's son. The youth nodded to him as they met, with a sort of free-and-easy, patronising air, which was intolerable to Walter Binning. "I am glad to find Nelly so much better to-day," said Ned. "She does not look better to my eyes," replied Walter gloomily. "She seems daily weaker, and it is my conviction—" "Your conviction!" exclaimed Ned, with a loud burst of mirth. "Oh! I did not know that things had come to that pass! I was aware that Viner had kept you ten years on your trial, but never heard of your conviction till now!" "Insolent boy!" cried Walter, clenching his hand, his blood mounting to his temples, his eye flashing fire! Ned might have had reason to repent his idle jest, had not Viner, who had overheard the words that passed, laid his hand firmly upon the arm of Walter, and drawn him away within the gate. "Would you be the slave to your passions?" he said in a low voice, "And show the world that a Christian can neither bear nor forbear." "I could forgive neglect," muttered Walter, "could forgive wrongs; but this contempt, this scorn, this ridicule! I wonder," he exclaimed, almost indignantly, "that you, who value only wisdom and virtue, can endure this trifling, silly, conceited—" "Yet generous-hearted boy," said Viner, pointing to a fine hare that lay upon the counter. "He has kind thought for others with all his faults, he know that nourishment was ordered for my Nelly." Walter started, and felt angry with himself that the sight of food so much needed should give him an emotion of pain rather than of pleasure. But to Viner, who, even in the smaller events of life, recognised the hand of an overruling Providence, the timely gift from the kindness of an earthly friend seemed an answer sent to his earnest prayer: "GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD!" [Illustration] CHAPTER VI. "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us." "NELLY, what are you thinking of—you look sad?" inquired Walter on the following morning, which happened to be Sunday. "I was thinking of you," she replied gravely. "And was that a thought to give you pain?" said Walter, sitting down at her side, "Tell me, Nelly, what were you thinking of me?" "I am afraid—perhaps you would be vexed or angry—"