'"A slanderous tongue is sharper than a two-edged sword; to noble
natures like his, it strikes home to the heart. Ralph Wilson, you are
an old man standing on the very verge of the grave. You accused my son
of theft, and declared on your word of honour as a Christian that you
saw him commit the robbery!"
'"Yes, my lady. A dreadful business, my lady, but too true."
'"I demand, in proof of this, that you come here and lay your hands
upon the brow of your victim, and swear by the living God, by your
hopes of salvation through the blood of Christ, that you saw George
Leatrim commit this crime."
'The man made a few steps forward. His face became livid, large drops
of perspiration trickled down his forehead, his teeth chattered
together, and a universal spasm convulsed his features.
'"You dare not do it!" said Mrs. Leatrim, pointing to the calm,
majestic face of her son. "To witness against him now were to lie in
the face of God!"
'"I have murdered him!" sobbed the old man, sinking on his knees at his
master's feet "It was I who stole the money."
'"You, Ralph?" and the Doctor tried to shake himself free from the
grasp of the withered hands that clutched his garments. "Oh, my poor
injured boy!"
'"Yes, I did it," continued Ralph, in a tone of despair. "The devil
tempted me, as he did Judas to betray his Master. I have been a
hypocrite all my life. I loved gold--I worshipped it--I lost no
opportunity of obtaining it when I could escape detection; but it has
destroyed my miserable soul.
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