CHAPTER XXXVII.
GOOD COUNSEL.
But Grace advised him better.

"Be humbled as you may before God, my father, but stand up boldly before man: for in his sight, and by his law, you are little short of blameless.

I would not, dearest father, speak to you of sins, except for consolation under them; for it ill becomes a child to see the failings of a parent.

But when I know at once how innocent you are in one sense, and how not quite guiltless in another, I wish my words may comfort you, if you will hear them, father.
Covetousness, not robbery--excess, not murder--these were your only sins; and concealment was not wise, neither was a false report befitting.

Money, the idol of millions, was your temptation: its earnest love, your fault; its possession, your misfortune.