Ah! that picture. It reminds me of a long-lost daughter. In moments of
darkness it has smiled upon me, and seemed to say, "True happiness is in
our own minds. It is not purchased by riches, or dependent on fraud. It
is only acquired by virtue, but shrinks abashed from vice." Ah! the
picture smiles again! The eyes beam on me—the nostrils dilate—the mouth
speaks—everything counsels me to be good. Yes! I _will_ return my
ill-begotten wealth, and henceforth strive to become that noblest work
of Nature, an honest man.—[_Falls down before the picture and weeps._]
[Illustration:
THE DAY AFTER—"St. Patrick's Day in the morning."
]