thou knowest me, or will ever know me. Yet, after all," he added in
a gentler manner, "thou art right. Yes, know me as a fellow sinner,
journeying with thee to eternity."

"As my friend," replied Armstrong; "as the guide whose deeper
experience in heavenly things shall teach me the way to heaven, unless
by some inscrutable decree I am excluded."

"How has my heart been open, how has it longed for years to meet
thine! How gladly would I have poured out my grief into thy bosom as
into that of a brother!" cried Holden, his voice choked with emotion.

The countenance of Mr. Armstrong betrayed astonishment. "How is this?"
he said. "I never knew it. You have always been to me as a common
acquaintance."

A shade fell on the face of Holden. He misunderstood the meaning
of the other. He supposed the phrase applicable to the feelings of
Armstrong towards himself, and not as descriptive of his own conduct
to Armstrong. "For the sake of the little Faith," he said coldly, "who
is now a lovely woman, have I highly regarded thee."

"It is even so," said Armstrong, in a melancholy tone. "There are none
left to love me for my own sake. Yet why should I quarrel with my own
daughter? Let me rather be grateful that she has been the means of
attracting one being towards me. How can I show my friendship? How can
I make you my friend?"

"I _am_ thy friend," cried Holden, grasping his hand with another
revulsion of feeling. "Put me to any proof. I will not fail."