ccording to the will of God, unless
it be His punishment for the parents' guilt; and even then the
world's way of treatment is too apt to harden the mother's natural
love into something like hatred. Shame, and the terror of friends'
displeasure, turn her mad--defile her holiest instincts; and, as for
the fathers--God forgive them! I cannot--at least, not just now."

Miss Benson thought on what her brother said. At length she asked,
"Thurstan (remember I'm not convinced), how would you have this girl
treated according to your theory?"

"It will require some time, and much Christian love, to find out the
best way. I know I'm not very wise; but the way I think it would be
right to act in, would be this--" He thought for some time before he
spoke, and then said:

"She has incurred a responsibility--that we both acknowledge. She is
about to become a mother, and have the direction and guidance of a
little tender life. I fancy such a responsibility must be serious and
solemn enough, without making it into a heavy and oppressive burden,
so that human nature recoils from bearing it. While we do all we can
to strengthen her sense of responsibility, I would likewise do all we
can to make her feel that it is responsibility for what may become a
blessing."

"Whether the children are legitimate or illegitimate?" asked Miss
Benson, drily.

"Yes!" said her brother, firmly. "The more I think, the more I
believe I am right. No one," said he, blushing faintly as he spoke,
"can have a greater recoil from profligacy than I have. You yourself
have not greater sorrow over this young creature's sin than I have:
the difference is this, you confuse the consequences with the sin."

"I don't understand metaphysics."

"I am not aware that I am talking metaphysics. I can imagine that if
the present occasion be taken rightly, and used well, all that is
good in her may be raised to a height unmeasured but by God; while
all that is evil and dark may, by His blessing, fade and disappear
in the pure light of her child's presence. Oh, Father! listen to my
prayer, that her redemption may date from this time. Help us to speak
to her in the loving spirit of thy Holy Son!"

The tears were full in his eyes; he almost trembled in his
earnestness. He was faint with the strong power of his own
conviction, and with his inability to move his sister. But she was
shaken. She sat very still for a quarter of an hour or more, while he
leaned back, exhausted b