"Does your dear mother know how you are?" "No, I do not like to alarm her; but if I do not get better in a few days, I think I shall endeavour to go down and see her, and if I must die, I hope to die in her arms." "I have called several times at your office since you left my house, but you were either engaged, or not within, and we have often wondered why you never came to see us. We have always had you in remembrance at a throne of grace." "Ah! had I never left your house, I should not have been reduced to that state of wretchedness and woe in which you now see me. I was seduced by a worthless companion, and now--(he made a long pause)--I have cut short my life; I have ruined my soul; I shall break my mother's heart. O eternity! how I dread thee." The tender feelings of Mr. Jordan were so strongly excited by the looks and the expressions of Lewellin, that he could make no reply for several minutes. At length he said, "But the chief of sinners may obtain mercy." "Yes, I know that the chief of sinners may obtain mercy, if they repent and believe; but I cannot do either. I have fitted myself for destruction, and now I must prepare to go where the worm dieth not, and where the fire will never be quenched." "Do not despair of mercy." "Yes, I must. Despair gives me more relief than hope." "Shall I pray with you?" "It is too late." "Consent." "Then pray for my dear mother; pray that her mind may be prepared for the distressing news which will soon reach her ears. I have deceived her." Mr. Jordan knelt down and prayed; but his importunity merely served to invest the pang of despair with an additional degree of terror. "All is useless-- 'The help of men and angels join'd Can never reach my case.'" "That's true, my dear young friend, but"---- "Pardon me for interrupting you, but I dare not ask for mercy. Justice demands a victim, and I must die." "But mercy pleads." "Yes, but she will never plead for me." "Do try to pray." "No, I am not disposed to offer a fresh insult to God. He has rejected me. I know my doom. It is irrevocably fixed. I deserve all I suffer, and all I have to suffer." Mr. Jordan now left him, but called again the next evening, when he found him rather better and more composed, and was gratified to hear that he had written a letter to his mother, informing her of his indisposition, and that she might expect to see him in the space of a few days, as he had been recommended to try the effect of a change of air. THE WIDOW'S SON RECLAIMED.