Such an attempt implied some moral correspondence
between the message and the listener. Yet all the time he was conscious
himself of cowardice and hypocrisy. What part of the Christian message
really applied to Lady Lucy this afternoon but the searching words: "He
that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom
he hath not seen?"
Yet he read on. The delicate ascetic face of his companion grew calmer;
he himself felt a certain refreshment and rest. There was no one else in
the world with whom he could sit like this, to whom he could speak or
read of the inner life. Lucy Marsham had made him what he was, a
childless bachelor, with certain memories in his past life of which he
was ashamed--representing the revenge of a strong man's temperament and
physical nature. But in the old age she had all but reached, and he was
approaching, she was still the one dear and indispensable friend. If she
must needs be harsh and tyrannical--well, he must try and mitigate the
effects, for herself and others. But his utmost effort must restrain
itself within certain limits. He was not at all sure that if offended
in some mortal point, she might not do without him.
Pages:
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346