“This too much conscience, overbalancing

All wiser judgment, has wrought worse results,

Made men crave heaven and fear for hell, so much

That, in the gap betwixt the two, was left

No charity with which to do good here

While on the earth.”

“I hope that mine,” I said,

“Will prompt to some small good in present life.

What would you say, some day, were I a nun?”

“‘Say!’” answer’d he—and scorn was in the tone,—