“It may be unfortunate for your wife and children,” said Denbigh, “but just, as respects yourself.  I have already convinced you, that my interference or reproof is not an empty one:  carry the letter to the person to whom it is directed, and I pledge you, you shall have a new trial; and should you conduct yourself soberly, and with propriety, continued and ample support; the second letter will gain you children immediate admission to the school I mentioned; and I now leave you, with an earnest injunction to remember that habits of intemperance not only disqualify you to support those who have such great claims on your protection, but inevitably lead to a loss of those powers which are necessary to insure your own eternal welfare.”

“May Heaven bless your honor,” cried the woman, with fervor, and evidently in tears, “both for what you have said, and what you have done.  Thomas only wants to be taken from temptation, to become a sober man again—­an honest one he has ever been, I am sure.”

“I have selected a place for him,” replied Denbigh “where there is no exposure through improper companions, and everything now depends upon himself, under Providence.”

Mrs. Wilson had risen from her chair on the first intimation given by Denbigh of his intention to go, but had paused at the door to listen to this last speech; when beckoning her companions, she hastily withdrew, having first made a small present to the woman of the cottage, and requested her not to mention their having called.

“What becomes now of the comparative charity of your brother and Mr. Denbigh, Emily?” asked Mrs. Wilson, as they gained the road on their return homewards.  Emily was not accustomed to hear any act of John slightly spoken of without at least manifesting some emotion, which betrayed her sisterly regard; but on the present occasion she chose to be silent; while Grace, after waiting in expectation that her cousin would speak, ventured to say timidly—­

“I am sure, dear madam, Mr. Moseley was very liberal and the tears were in his eyes while he gave the money.  I was looking directly at them the whole time.”

“John is compassionate by nature,” continued Mrs. Wilson with an almost imperceptible smile.  “I have no doubt his sympathies were warmly enlisted in behalf of this family and possessing much, he gave liberally.  I have no doubt he would have undergone personal privation to have relieved their distress, and endured both pain and labor, with such an excitement before him.  But what is all that to the charity of Mr. Denbigh?”

Grace was unused to contend, and, least of all, with Mrs. Wilson; but, unwilling to abandon John to such censure, with increased animation, she said—­

“If bestowing freely, and feeling for the distress you relieve, be not commendable, madam, I am sure I am ignorant what is.”