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The "sinner" in this engrossing and strange novel is Robert Wringham, the son of a Scottish laird and a much more religious mother, who quickly separates from her free-living husband under the encouragement of an influential minister. When it's time to be baptized, Robert takes the preacher's last name, and a bit later the reverend decides that Robert is also one of God's chosen. Robert believes that as a member of the elect he can never be damned, no matter what he does.