"Have you taken her by the hand, and bidden her go and sin no more?" "No." "Have you tried to lead her to a better way--helped her, and guided others to help her in her sore distress?" The vicar shook his head. "And yet you say, How am I to win the hearts of these people?" The vicar wiped the perspiration from his brow as Geoffrey went on. "Not one soul of all who knew her came to the poor wretch's help. Cast off by the man who robbed her of her fame, I found her maddened with despair. Rejected by her own people, I found her ready to die. Ready to die? I found her dying, for she had said to herself--`My people--my love--the whole world turn their backs upon me. What is there for me to do but die?' What should you say to the man who, finding the poor girl drowning, leaps into the sea, drags her out, and, like some poor beggarly imitation of a Samaritan, takes her to a home, and gives her help and shelter, in defiance of the world? What would you say to such a man as that?" cried Geoffrey. "That he was a hero," cried the vicar. "You lie," cried Geoffrey, leaping up in his excitement. "You lie to my face, for you come and tell me I am a villain; that I wrecked the poor girl's happiness; that the world scorns me; and you bid me, for what I have done, to marry the girl and give her the shelter of my name." "But, Trethick--Geoffrey, did you do this?" "Did I do this? Yes, but--damnation! there was a devil of pride rose up within me, when, on top of my reverses with the mine, I found every one turn against me, and my accusers would not let me speak. Even she who should have been the first to take my part, turned from me and made me more bitter still." "But, Trethick," cried the vicar, excitedly, "is this true?" "True," cried Geoffrey, throwing up his arms towards heaven, as he stood there now with the veins starting in his brow, and the passion working within him bringing him to such a pitch of excitement, that his companion could see his temples throb. "I scarcely spoke word about it before; but I swear by the God above us I never felt love, thought love, or dreamed of love but for one woman, and, Heaven help me, she has cast me off." He turned away and rushed headlong down the hill, but the paroxysm of rage was over, the excitement gone; and he returned directly to throw himself upon the turf. "Did you ever see such a madman?" he cried, bitterly. "There, go on with your lecture; I'll hear you to the end." "Trethick," said the vicar, quietly; and Geoffrey turned slowly towards him, to find that his companion was kneeling there with outstretched hands. "Well?" was the harsh response. "I asked you to let me be your friend. I ask you again, Geoffrey, as I ask you now, to forgive my doubts." Geoffrey caught his outstretched hands. "You believe me?" "Believe you? Yes, every word. Forgive me for wronging you so cruelly. I'll try and make amends." "Not by taking my part--not by speaking about this?" "Why not?"