be
moments perhaps when you will feel inclined to do evil; moments when
you will perhaps yourself be persuaded that sin is not so very wrong.
Listen to the advice which I now give you, and let the last words of
your dying father be for ever deeply impressed on your heart. Forbid
every action, every speech, every thought for which you would have to
blush if your father knew. Soon my eyes will be for ever closed, I
shall not longer be here to watch over you, but remember you have in
heaven a Father whose eye sees everything and reads the secrets of your
heart."

After a little while, when he had recovered breath, he continued: "You
would not wish by an act of disobedience to hurt the father whom you
have on earth; how much more then should you fear to offend your Father
which is in heaven? Look at me once more, Mary. Oh, if you ever feel
the least inclination to do wrong, think of my pale face and of the
tears which wet these sunken cheeks. Come to me, put your hand into
mine which will soon fall into dust. Promise me never to forget my
words. In the hour of temptation, imagine that you feel this cold hand
which you now hold on the border of the grave. My poor child, you
cannot see without weeping, my pale and hollow cheeks. But know that
everything passes away in this world. There was a time when I had the
bloom of health and the fresh colour which you now have. The time will
come when you too will be stretched on the bed of death, pale and
emaciated, as you now see me, if God does not sooner take you to
Himself. The friends of my youth have disappeared like the flowers
which have passed away with the spring, and for whose places you seek
in vain, like the dew which sparkles for a moment on the flowers and is
gone."

The next day James, feeling that his end was near, felt it his duty and
delight, though weak in body, to continue his advice to his daughter.

"I have seen the world," said he, "as well as other people, in the day
when I accompanied the young Count on his travels. If there was
anything in the large cities superb or magnificent, I went there. I
spent whole weeks in pleasure. If there was a brilliant assembly or a
lively conversation, I saw and heard as well as my young master. I
shared in the most exquisite meals, and of the scarcest wines, and
always had more than I wished for. But all these worldly pleasures left
me with an empty heart. I assure you solemnly, my dear Mary, that a few
moments of peaceful