consideration with me," observed the lady.

"Dear lady mother, I had not the remotest suspicion that it was; but I
must be off," he replied, while he consulted his watch. "I got a private
despatch this morning from New York, giving me the very pleasant
information of a failure in the coffee crop; and I am going to attend a
sale at _ten_ o'clock, and expect to purchase largely at the present
prices. At _one_, my investment will double its value."

"You were fortunate, indeed," said Mrs. Jerrold. He kissed her cheek
once more, said "good-by," and was gone. Neither mother nor son imagined
they had been saying or doing any thing contrary to the laws of honor or
morality. Had any one suggested such an idea, _he_ would have felt
grossly insulted; and that red spot of pride on _her_ forehead would have
glowed into a flame of resentment. They were only keeping a sharp eye on
their interests. Thus, at least, they would have defined their plans.
Protestants, practical and nominal, think of the judgment as an idea too
remote to influence the acts of their daily life. They have no
confessionals for ever reminding them of the right principles of a true
rule of faith; and no spiritual guides, whose duty it is to probe the
erring conscience, and heal, with divine gifts, the repentant soul. But
we will leave Mrs. Jerrold's _recherché boudoir_, and accompany May from
the Cathedral to Father Fabian's parlor. She was disappointed at not
finding him there, but determined to wait, as the servant informed her
that he had been sent for just as mass was over, to carry the Holy
Viaticum to a laborer who had fallen from a scaffolding in the next
square, and was dying from the effect of his injuries.

"I will go Into the church and wait. Will you please to call me when
Father Fabian comes in? I have something of importance to say to him,"