My betrayal of Melissa has not been altogether without profit. I
had imagined myself morally superior to my parishioners, and if I
had put the question to myself I should have said with confidence
that it was impossible that there should exist in me a weakness I
had never suspected, one which every day moved me to laughter or to
scorn. But, sir, I now feel how true it is that in our immortal
poet's words, 'Man, proud man, is most ignorant of what he's most
assured, his glassy essence.' I hope you will pardon a reference to
sacred history: I understand how the Apostle Peter came to deny his
Lord. A few minutes before the dreadful crime was committed he
would have considered himself as incapable of it as he was of the
sale of his Master for money or of that damning kiss, and a few
minutes afterwards he would have suffered death for His sake. This,
Mr. Rambler, is the lesson which induced me to write to you. Let
him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall; and indeed he
may take all heed and yet will fall, unless Divine Providence
mercifully catches him and holds him up.



A LETTER FROM THE AUTHORESS OF 'JUDITH CROWHURST'



You have asked me to tell you all about Judith Crowhurst. I will
tell you something more and begin at the beginning. You will
remember that Miss Hardman said to Mrs. Pryor, Mrs. Hardman's
governess: 'WE need the imprudences, extravagances, mistakes and
crimes of a certain number of fathers to sow the seed from which WE