"Goodbye, holy Robert," said Peter, as he drove away.

Robert sat still on the porch. He began to wonder if this was the way
he was going to dedicate his new home, and if he had destroyed his
influence in the community. What would Mary think of him! Good, quiet,
godly Mary, who had always looked up to him as the embodiment of noble
and manly qualities. And Mary was cherishing a little one under her
heart, and preparing to receive a priceless treasure. What kind of a
father was he going to be, Robert asked himself. Shall I tell her, or
shall I hide it? Swiftly the thoughts ran through his mind while big,
cold drops of sweat stood out upon his forehead like beads of crystal.
Never before had he felt so thoroughly miserable. In his youth, Robert
had never been quarrelsome, but he had accepted challenges whenever
they were made. Since his conversion, however, he had lived a
consistent Christian life, and he had been very particular of his
conduct since God had shown him light on holiness and sanctification.

"I will kneel down here and pray," said Robert, out loud. This
decision was his response to grim Despair, who had now put in his
appearance with suggestions to give up all, go back into sin, quit
professing, and be an open sinner.

"Why try it any longer?" said Despair. "You can never face your
neighbors again. Give up. Give up. You have tried, and you have
failed. You are a failure. Your reputation is gone. You can never live
for Christ in this neighborhood. Get even with Newbys."

No sooner did Robert resolve, with holy determination, to defeat
Despair and pray, than he got upon his knees. And there, at the