the
temptation was greater than I could stand--it seemed to open out a
path of usefulness."

"Now, don't let me hear you speak so," said Mr Bradshaw, blazing
up. "I can't stand it. It is too much to talk in that way when the
usefulness was to consist in contaminating my innocent girls."

"God knows that if I had believed there had been any danger of such
contamination--God knows how I would have died sooner than have
allowed her to enter your family. Mr Bradshaw, you believe me, don't
you?" asked Mr Benson, earnestly.

"I really must be allowed the privilege of doubting what you say in
future," said Mr Bradshaw, in a cold, contemptuous manner.

"I have deserved this," Mr Benson replied. "But," continued he, after
a moment's pause, "I will not speak of myself, but of Ruth. Surely,
sir, the end I aimed at (the means I took to obtain it were wrong;
you cannot feel that more than I do) was a right one; and you
will not--you cannot say, that your children have suffered from
associating with her. I had her in my family, under the watchful eyes
of three anxious persons for a year or more; we saw faults--no human
being is without them--and poor Ruth's were but slight venial errors;
but we saw no sign of a corrupt mind--no glimpse of boldness or
forwardness--no token of want of conscientiousness; she seemed, and
was, a young and gentle girl, who had been led astray before she
fairly knew what life was."

"I suppose most depraved women have been innocent in their time,"
said Mr Bradshaw, with bitter contempt.

"Oh, Mr Bradshaw! Ruth was not depraved, and you know it. You cannot
have seen her--have known her daily, all these years, without
acknowledging that!" Mr Benson was almost breathless, awaiting Mr
Bradshaw's answer. The quiet self-control which he had maintained so
long, was gone now.

"I saw her daily--I did _not_ know her. If I had known her, I should
have known she was fallen and depraved, and consequently not fit to
come into my house, nor to associate with my pure children."

"Now I wish God would give me power to speak out convincingly what
I believe to be His truth, that not every woman who has fallen is
depraved; that many--how many the Great Judgment Day will reveal
to those who have shaken off the poor, sore, penitent hearts on
earth--many, many crave and hunger after a chance for virtue--the
help which no man gives to them--help--that gentle, tender help which
Jesus gave once to Mary Magdalen." Mr Bens