ut in a minute. The
cheque, if you please."

"I cannot give it," was the reply.

"Indeed!" said the other, raising his eyebrows, and displaying fully the
evil light of his wicked eyes. "Ah! is it so? Well, if you like your
fare and your quarters so well that you are loath to leave them, it is
not for me to draw you away from such sumptuous hospitality and such
agreeable society. Farewell. Good-night. I will call to-morrow
morning, in the hopes that a night's rest in this noble mansion may lead
you to arrive at a different conclusion. Pleasant dreams to you." So
saying, with a discordant chuckle he left the window, and the poor
prisoner had to make the best of the situation for the night.

Adding another log to the fire, and wrapping his great-coat together for
a couch, with the upper part raised over two or three logs for a pillow,
he resigned himself to rest, and, much to his surprise, slept pretty
soundly till daybreak. His morning devotions over, and his scanty
breakfast eaten, he waited for the return of his brother-in-law with
very mingled feelings. About nine o'clock he appeared, and greeted Amos
with the hope that he had passed a good night and felt quite himself
this morning. Amos replied that he was thankful to say that he had
slept as well or better than he expected, and that he only wished that
his brother-in-law had had as soft a pillow to lie on as himself had
enjoyed.

"Dear me," said the other sneeringly, "I was not aware that the
establishment was provided with such luxuries. Pray, of what materials
may this pillow of yours have been made?"

"Of the promises of God," said Amos solemnly; "and I can only regret,
Mr Vivian, that you will not abandon those ways which God cannot bless,
and seek your peace and happiness, as you may do, in your Saviour's
service. Why should you not? He has a place in his loving heart for
you."

"Is the sermon over, Mr Parson?" asked the other with a snarl. "Oh,
very good; and now, let us come to business again. What about the
cheque? Is it ready?"

"I cannot give it," was Amos's reply. "I should be wrong to give it. I
should only be encouraging evil, and that I dare not do."

"Be it so," said the other; "then, remember, you must take the
consequences."

"I am in God's hands," replied Amos, "and am prepared to take them."

"Good again," said his persecutor. "Once more, then, I come. This
night, before sunset, I must have the cheque, or else you