"
"Tell me this one thing, then, Robert, and all shall he forgotten
and forgiven. Who was that friend?"
"You do not know him."
"How then does he know me?"
"I cannot tell."
"Was he here present with you to-day?"
"Yes; he was not far distant. He came to this hill with me."
"Where then is he now?"
"I cannot tell."
"Then, wretch, confess that the devil was that friend who told you
I was here, and who came here with you. None else could
possibly know of my being here."
"Ah! how little you know of him! Would you argue that there is
neither man nor spirit endowed with so much foresight as to
deduce natural conclusions from previous actions and incidents
but the devil? Alas, brother! But why should I wonder at such
abandoned notions and principles? It was fore-ordained that you
should cherish them, and that they should be the ruin of your soul
and body, before the world was framed. Be assured of this,
however, that I had no aim of seeking you but your good!"
"Well, Robert, I will believe it. I am disposed to be hasty and
passionate: it is a fault in my nature; but I never meant, or wished
you evil; and God is my witness that I would as soon stretch out
my hand to my own life, or my father's, as to yours.
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