"I!" cried she. "I accept anything from that wretch! Before doing that I would a thousand times rather die, and see my child die. He wished to give me an income for life, and I threw his money in his face. He is a stranger to me, and my child shall never know him; he would have reason to blush for his father. Never shall my lips utter his cursed name, and I will efface it from my memory."
Jacob soothed her, and gradually reassured she asked:--
"Have you come from my house? Have you seen the old man whose name I dare not utter, the old man with a white beard, and the afflicted mother, and the sister who suffers for my shame, and the house where all were so happy before my folly converted it into a house of mourning and covered it with shame?"
"No, I have not been there recently."
"I believe I recognize you now. I saw you once when we were all so happy. You came one Sabbath, did you not? and you had a long and serious interview with the aged man."
"Yes. And I have not been there since that time."
"But he lives, does he not? They have completely forgotten me?"
"Yes, they are all living. God is pitiful, and his pity will extend to you."
"His greatest mercy for me and for my child would be for us to die."
"Life may yet have many pleasant things in store for you."