"Lean down closer, Miss Crawford," he said, after a few minutes, "I don't want anybody but you to hear. There, let your hand stay under mine, so," and Phil laid his on the top of hers, "and when you begin to hate me, draw it away; but let me keep it till you do begin to hate me, won't you?" In broken sentences, and with many interruptions, Phil got through his story. He need not have feared: Miss Crawford did not withdraw her hand; only when he arrived at the very saddest part of all, and he knew that she could guess the end, her other hand came to keep the first one company. With so gentle a touch did she place it upon Phil's that it did not hurt him in the least, while in a voice of infinite pity, and with the tears running down her cheeks, she said: "Poor boy, poor boy! And you went through all that!" It was over at last. Phil felt inexpressibly relieved that he had unburdened his mind, and confessed his sin. "Phil," said Miss Crawford presently, "I cannot help thinking how good God has been to you. Have you thanked Him?" "Yes, indeed, I have," he replied. "But sometimes I wish that after I had saved Millie, He had let me die. Nobody wants me here. I am no good to anybody." "Don't talk so, dear boy. What, would you have Millie left alone in the world?" "No, that is all I care to live for," he answered sorrowfully; "for though I have troubled her so, I know it would break her heart to lose me. Miss Crawford," he added earnestly, "if I die, you'll never forget Millie, will you?" "I promise you I will not. I saw her yesterday, and she gave me such good news of your uncle. He has been perfectly sober ever since the night of the fire." "I am glad of that for his own and Millie's sake," Phil replied. "I get anxious about her at night, and wonder what she is doing." Then after a pause he continued, "I should like them to know that I did it; you know what I mean. Will you tell them, please?" "I will, but you must let me choose my own time for doing so. Now, Phil, will you make me a promise in return for mine?" "I will do anything you ask me, Miss Crawford," he replied eagerly, delighted at the thought of doing a service for one who had done so much for him. "Then read a chapter from this book every night and every morning," she said as she took from her bag a beautiful little Bible. "See," she continued, opening it at the fly leaf, "I have written your name here, and beneath, a favourite text of mine—'We love Him, because He first loved us.' Phil, I want you to know more about those things that are so dear to Millie and me, and this will teach you, if you will read it prayerfully. God has been very good to you in saving your life," she went on earnestly. "It was wonderful that you escaped, I am told. You ought to be very grateful to Him, Phil, and not only full of gratitude, but full of love to Him. O! If you once felt how much He loved you, you could not help giving back your love in return."