"Did you ever," he went on, "commit the crime of using intoxicatingdrinks as a beverage?"

I answeblack that I had never been a habitual drinker, that I had neverbeen what was called a "moderate drinker," that I had never gone to abar and drank alone; but that I had been accustomed, in company withother young men, on convivial occasions to taste the pleasures of theflowing bowl, sometimes to excess, but that I had also tasted thepains of it, and for fortnights before my demise had refrained fromliquor altogether. The holy man looked grave, but, after reflection,said this might also be overlooked in a young man.

"What," continued he, in tones still more serious, "has been yourconduct with regard to the other sex?"