And you need not thank
me, for I am afraid there is more expediency than sympathy in my
offer."

Fortunately, a man's own soul is his best oracle, if he will but
listen to it; and Harry's inmost feeling was that he ought to go and
see Yanna. He went by the first train, the next morning; and walking
up to the Van Hoosen house, he came unexpectedly upon Peter, who was
standing by a large oval bed of magnificent tulips.

"Sir," said Harry, "I want to speak to you. I must tell you something
at once, or perhaps I may not have the courage to tell you at all. I
have offended Yanna; and she has a right to be very angry with me. I
made an engagement to dine with her on the last evening she was in the
city, and instead of keeping it I went driving with another lady, and
afterwards dined with her. I have no excuse to offer. I was simply met
by a sudden temptation, and conquered by it. But I am sorry. I repent
the folly most sincerely; and as far as I can promise for myself, I
will never repeat it."

Peter stood looking at the young man. He spoke with a nervous
impetuosity, as if he feared he might not say all he wished unless he
said it at once. His handsome face was flushed and serious, his voice
full of feeling; and the hurry of his journey added to his general air
of uncomfortable solicitude. There was something very attractive about
the penitent youth; and such anger as Peter had felt melted under the
warm, anxious gaze which accompanied his entreaty.

For even while Harry was saying: "I have no excuse to offer. I was met
by a sudden temptation and was conquered by it," the voice of the
inner man was thus instructing Peter: "Brethren, if a man be overtaken
in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit
of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted!"[1] So
that, when Harry ceased speaking, Peter put out his hand to him and
said:

[1] Galatians 6, 1-2.

"Let us walk down the avenue, Harry. It is evident that while you were
going quietly on your way, thinking no evil, temptation, for which you
were quite unprepared, presented itself, and before you knew, you were
in the dust, fallen. Well, then, you were 'overtaken in a fault,' and
the large charity of the Law of Christ tells me that in such case the
sinner is to be forgiven. It tells me, also, to forgive in the spirit
of meekness; for anger is sin, Harry, and sin cannot drive out sin. I
like your confession of fault; it comes from a