lved to make the most of the
wretch's terror--"tell me for what purpose it is that you haunt my
steps? Tell me plainly, and instantly, else I will throw you from the
verge of that precipice."

"Oh, I will never do it again! I will never do it again! Spare my life,
dear, good brother! Spare my life! Sure I never did you any hurt."

"Swear to me, then, by the God that made you, that you will never
henceforth follow after me to torment me with your hellish threatening
looks; swear that you will never again come into my presence without
being invited. Will you take an oath to this effect?"

"Oh yes! I will, I will!"

"But this is not all: you must tell me for what purpose you sought me
out here this morning?"

"Oh, brother! For nothing but your good. I had nothing at heart but
your unspeakable profit, and great and endless good."

"So, then, you indeed knew that I was here?"

"I was told so by a friend, but I did not believe him; a--a--at least I
did not know that it was true till I saw you."

"Tell me this one thing, then, Robert, and all shall be forgotten and
forgiven. Who was that friend?"

"You do not know him."

"How then does he know me?"

"I cannot tell."

"Was he here present with you to-day?"

"Yes; he was not far distant. He came to this hill with me."

"Where then is he now?"

"I cannot tell."

"Then, wretch, confess that the devil was that friend who told you I
was here, and who came here with you. None else could possibly know of
my being here."

"Ah! how little you know of him! Would you argue that there is neither
man nor spirit endowed with so much foresight as to deduce natural
conclusions from previous actions and incidents but the devil? Alas,
brother! But why should I wonder at such abandoned notions and
principles? It was fore-ordained that you should cherish them, and that
they should be the ruin of your soul and body, before the world was
framed. Be assured of this, however, that I had no aim of seeking you
but your good!"

"Well, Robert, I will believe it. I am disposed to be hasty and
passionate: it is a fault in my nature; but I never meant, or wished
you evil; and God is my witness that I would as soon stretch out my
hand to my own life, or my father's, as to yours." At these words,
Wringhim uttered a hollow exulting laugh, put his hands in his pockets,
and withdrew a space to his accustomed distance. George continued: "And
now, once for all, I request that we may exchang