ging informations before a magistrate, and thus become
the means of bringing' disgrace and evil upon the family when it
occurred to him to ask them a last question.

"My dear young men," said he, "I have forgotten, in the agitation of
mind occasioned by the unprecedented disclosure of your evil and wilful
intentions, to ask, if you so far renounce God as to refuse to worship
him. Kneel down, and let us pray." He himself and their father knelt,
but the three brothers stood as sullen and immovable as before. Tho
priest uttered a short prayer, but their conduct so completely
perplexed and shocked him, that he rose up, and with tears in his eyes,
exclaimed--

"I am now an old man, and have witnessed many instances of error, and
sin, and deep crime, but never before have I seen in persons of your
early years, such instances--such awful, terrible instances--of that
impenitence in which the heart, setting aside God and his sacred
ordinances, is given over to the hardness of final reprobation. I can do
no more, as the ambassador of Christ, but I must not stand by and see a
fellow-creature--oh! thank God," he exclaimed, "a thought recurs to my
mind which had for a time passed out of it. My good friend," he said,
addressing old M'Loughlin, "will you bring Mary in, if she is able to
come--say I request to see her here."

"We will go now," said the eldest, "you can want us no longer."

"You shall not go," replied Father Roche firmly, "if you are men,
stay--or, if cowards, who are afraid to look into the depths of your
own dark designs, you will and may go--we want you not." This language
perplexed them, but they stood as before, and moved not.

In a few minutes Mary came in, leaning on her father's arm; but, ah!
what a change from the elegant outline and clear, healthy cheek--from
the red plump lips, and dark mellow eyes, which carried fascination
in every glance and grace in every motion! Sweet, and beautiful, and
interesting, she still unquestionably was, but her pale cheek, languid
eye, and low tremulous voice, told a tale, which, when the cause of it
was reflected on, had literally scorched up out of her brother's hearts
every remaining vestige of humanity.

"Mary," said the priest, we have requested your presence, my child, for
a most important purpose--and, in communicating that purpose to you, we
indeed give the strongest proof of our confidence in your firmness and
good sense--nay, I will add, in the truth and fervor