"So long as you are sorry," said Agnes with a bitter sigh.
"Agnes, I am worse than sorry; I am dreadfully ashamed."
"Nay, dear," she answered, rousing herself and putting her hand round him,"let it only draw you closer to Him who will forgive us if we ask."
"I felt I could not look anyone in the face. Ought I to have told them?"
"I hardly know. Oh, Hugh dear, it is not so much the drinking a glass of beer. I would not wish to condemn anyone for doing that, if it were all open and above board; though of course I have long ago made up my mind about it. But I think where you feel wrong has been that you felt you were doing what father would disapprove, and you had not courage to resist."
"Yes," said Hugh sorrowfully.
"So that is what you want to confess to Him, and ask to have pardoned?"
They were silent, looking into the fire.
"I thought you'd scold me awfully," he said at last.
"Did you?" asked Agnes; "you should go to somebody who has not sinned herself if you want that."