from among us to-night are lost or saved--or if there be a
heaven or hell?"

"Pshaw!" said Godfrey, lighting his pipe, "do you believe such idle
fables?"

"Why, do you see, Master Godfrey, I would fain think them false for my
own sake--mere old women's tales. But terrible thoughts will come into
my mind; and though I seldom think of heaven, I often hear a voice from
the shut up depths of my heart--a voice that I cannot stifle. Do not
smile," said the man gloomily, "I am in no mood to be laughed at. Bad
as I am, confound me if you are not ten times worse."

"If you are so afraid of going to hell," said Godfrey, sarcastically,
"why do you not amend your life? I, for my part, am troubled with no
such qualms of conscience."

"If you had seen blood as often upon your hand as I have upon mine, you
would tell a different story. Kill a man, and then see if what we hear
of ghosts and spirits are mere fables. I tell thee, Godfrey Hurdlestone,
they never die, but live and walk abroad, and haunt you continually. The
voice they speak with will be heard. In solitary places--in the midst of
crowds--at fairs and merry-makings--in the noon of day, and at the dead
of night, I have heard their mocking tones." He leaned his elbows upon
his knees, and supported his chin between the palms of his hands, and
continued to stare upon Godfrey with vacant bloodshot eyes.

"Don't take me for a ghost," said Godfrey, the same sarcastic smile
passing over his handsome face. "What does it matter to us where our
fathers are gone? If there is a place of future rewards or punishments,
depend upon it we shall only have to answer for our own sins; and as you
and I have, at present, but a small chance of getting to heaven, we may
as well make the most of our time on earth."

"Confound that death-bell," said the smuggler, "it has a living voice
to-night. I never hear it but it reminds me of Newgate, and I fancy that
I shall hear it toll for my own death before I die."

"A very probable consummation, though certainly not a very pleasant
one," said Godfrey ironically. "But away with such melancholy presages.
Take another sup of the brandy, Mathews, and tell me what you are going
to do for a living. The lease of your farm expires in a few days. Mr.
---- has taken possession of the estates, and means, Johnstone tells me,
to put in another tenant. What will become of you and Mary in the
meanwhile?"

"I have not thought about it yet. At any rate, I can al