d let me sign after, it
would be the saving of me."

"What a strange thing to ask, Jarvis! What good would it do you to know
that I, who am always moderate in my use of stimulants, had given them
up?"

"Oh, ma'am, it would make me feel that somebody in this wide world cared
enough for me to give up something for my sake. I've never had any one
to care for me since my mother died fifteen years ago. I made up my mind
that I would be independent of every one and look after myself, and when
I felt dull I just took a glass, until I got into the habit of taking
too much. When I came here you were so kind to me that I couldn't help
feeling you were different to my other mistresses who only seemed to
care how much they could get out of me, and I've been that grateful,
ma'am, I would have done anything for you; but last night I got low, and
the longing for drink took me, and something whispered: 'There's your
mistress for all her kind words, she's none so different as the rest of
them, only she's got another way with her. You're a good cook and suit
her well while you keep from the drink, and she thinks if she speaks
fair she'll manage you well enough.' And then, ma'am, I thought of your
beautiful wines which you could take without any harm to yourself,
while my beer had done such cruel work for me, and suddenly the thought
came: 'Why, your mistress cares for those luxuries that she takes every
day far more than she does for you, you poor thing; she wouldn't give
them up to save you from filling a drunkard's grave.' Then I grew
desperate, and came in here to see if there was anything left about, and
the key for once was in the side-board, and, and----"

"Yes, I know, my poor Jarvis, and now let me tell you that I do care
more for you a thousand times than for the luxuries you speak of, and to
prove it, I will never touch them again. I promise that, for your sake,
Jarvis, do you understand?" For Jarvis was standing looking stupified.
Her wide-open eyes suddenly filled with tears, and she fell at her
mistress' feet, and seizing her hand covered it with kisses.

"Oh, ma'am, you've saved me, you've saved me," she said again and again.

Yes, Jarvis was saved. From that time she steadily fought against her
deadly sin, until its besetment lost all power over her.

After years of devoted service she became the happy wife of one who
loved and trusted her, and to whom she confided the story of her past
degradation, and how she was r