Ah, Heaven have mercy on the sorely-tried and tempted!
This was only the third glass of alcoholic stimulants that Ishmael had ever taken in the whole course of his life.
On the first occasion, the day of Claudia's betrothal, the glass had been placed in his hand and urged upon his acceptance by his honored old friend, Judge Merlin.
On the second occasion, the morning of this day, of Claudia's marriage, the glass had also been offered him by Judge Merlin.
And on the third occasion, this afternoon of the terrible day of trial and suffering, it was placed to his lips by the respectable old lawyer, Wiseman.
Alas! alas!
On the first occasion Ishmael had protested long before he yielded; on the second he had hesitated a little while; but on the third he took the offered glass and drank the brandy without an instant's doubt or pause.
Lord, be pitiful!
And oh, Nora, fly down from heaven on wings of love and watch over your son and save him—from his friends!—lest he fall into deeper depths than any from which he has so nobly struggled forth. For he is suffering, tempted, and human! And there never lived but one perfect man, and he was the Son of God.
"Well?" said old Wiseman as he received the glass from Ishmael's hand and sat it down.