"May!"

"I am here by you, sir."

"It is not too late to do you an act of justice."

"Oh, dear, dear uncle!" said May, earnestly, "forget me; forget the
affairs of earth, and think of the judgment beyond the grave! Oh, sir!
indeed--indeed, I fear, that the time is too short to be wasted on
perishing things."

"Listen to me!" said the old man, gathering up his failing energies,
and speaking in a low, distinct voice; "I wish to save my soul, but
fear it is too late. My life has been one long, dark, dismal blank.
There is nothing which I can remember--not one single thine, to cheer
this dreary hour. I have gained the world, and lost--heaven. Until
yesterday, I derided and scorned _all_ religions. It has been my lot
in life to become entangled and betrayed by hypocrites of various
professions. They disgusted and embittered me with all religion. I
tried to think you a hypocrite, and cursed your patience and good works
as so many snares for gain. But my eyes were opened. I followed you
yesterday, out to that old negro's hut; I wrung the tale of your
charities from your unwilling lips, and know and understand all. And
now, in return for all my harshness, my neglect, my cruel unkindness,
you save my life; you tend me, nurse me, watch me, and for what? _For
the love of God_.

"Don't interrupt me, little one. _You have proved the truth_ of the
faith you profess by your works. It suits me. I need no doctrinal