Memory carried me back to my youthful
days when everything was bright with joyous hope and youthful ambition.
I recalled the time when I wooed you from your pleasant country home,
and led you to the altar a fair young bride, and there pledged myself
before God and man to love, honour and cherish you, till death should us
part. Suddenly, as if uttered by an audible voice, I seemed to hear the
words 'William Harland, how have you kept your vows?' At that moment I
seemed to suddenly awake to a full sense of my fallen and degraded
position. What madness, thought I, has possessed me all this time, thus
to ruin myself and those dear to me? And for what? for the mere
indulgence of a debasing appetite. I rose to my feet and my step grew
light with my new-formed resolution, that I _would_ break the slavish
fetters that had so long held me captive; and now, my dear wife, if you
can forgive the past and aid me in my resolutions for amendment there is
hope for me yet." Mrs. Harland was only too happy to forgive her erring
but now truly penitent husband; but she trembled for the future, knowing
how often he had formerly made like resolutions, but to break them. She
endeavoured, however, to be hopeful, and to encourage him by every means
which affection could devise.
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