“For the sake of Heaven, that hears and sees us,” said Jeanie, “dinna speak in this desperate fashion! The gospel is sent to the chief of sinners--to the most miserable among the miserable.” “Then should I have my own share therein,” said the stranger, “if you call it sinful to have been the destruction of the mother that bore me--of the friend that loved me--of the woman that trusted me--of the innocent child that was born to me. If to have done all this is to be a sinner, and survive it is to be miserable, then am I most guilty and most miserable indeed.” “Then you are the wicked cause of my sisterís ruin?” said Jeanie, with a natural touch of indignation expressed in her tone of voice. “Curse me for it, if you will,” said the stranger; “I have well deserved it at your hand.” “It is fitter for me,” said Jeanie, “to pray to God to forgive you.” “Do as you will, how you will, or what you will,” he replied, with vehemence; “only promise to obey my directions, and save your sisterís life.” “I must first know,” said Jeanie, “the means you would have me use in her behalf.” “No!--you must first swear--solemnly swear, that you will employ them when I make them known to you.” “Surely, it is needless to swear that I will do all that is lawful to a Christian to save the life of my sister?” “I will have no reservation!” thundered the stranger; “lawful or unlawful, Christian or heathen, you shall swear to do my hest, and act by my counsel, or--you little know whose wrath you provoke!” “I will think on what you have said,” said Jeanie, who began to get much alarmed at the frantic vehemence of his manner, and disputed in her own mind, whether she spoke to a maniac, or an apostate spirit incarnate--“I will think on what you say, and let you ken to-morrow.” “To-morrow!” exclaimed the man with a laugh of scorn--“And where will I be to-morrow?--or, where will you be to-night, unless you swear to walk by my counsel?--there was one accursed deed done at this spot before now; and there shall be another to match it, unless you yield up to my guidance body and soul.” As he spoke, he offered a pistol at the unfortunate young woman. She neither fled nor fainted, but sunk on her knees, and asked him to spare her life. “Is that all you have to say?” said the unmoved ruffian. “Do not dip your hands in the blood of a defenceless creature that has trusted to you,” said Jeanie, still on her knees. “Is that all you can say for your life?--Have you no promise to give?--Will you destroy your sister, and compel me to shed more blood?” “I can promise nothing,” said Jeanie, “which is unlawful for a Christian.” He cocked the weapon, and held it towards her. “May God forgive you!” she said, pressing her hands forcibly against her eyes.