you as ever was the love of a woman in the heart of any man that ever lived. I did not think there was any man living in this world who could go against it! I don't think anything ever astonished me so much as the answer you made to the widow. If ever I did my best I did it on that occasion, to place you in such a way that you would not be able to draw back. You beat me in spite of my best. You put the best woman in Ireland out of your heart, though the love of her was implanted within you! You put her from your heart, although her heart was being torn asunder through love of you! I don't know if you are a human being at all! You would not have cared if you had brought her to the grave! And I wouldn't care, but for the reason. To tear asunder your own heart and hers for the sake of the"
"Finish it!" said Shiana.
"For the sake of Him who is above," said the Black Man. "'Saviour,' you call Him. That was the act that gave you the upper hand over me. That was the act with which you crushed and paralysed me, and it was not your good-for-nothing and worthless almsgiving."
"You have talked a great deal," said Shiana, "but in all the talk you have told only one side of the subject. It is true that love and friendship and affection and sympathy send many people astray. But is it not a great wonder that you do not perceive that those same things bring many people to good also? A man will do a thing at the instance of his friend which he would never do of his own accord. And a man will often do what is good for him, through good advice from a sincere and
