"That is by no means the same thing," she retorted.
"But what interests me you might try to consider; just out of charity,
of course."
"Oh, well, then, since you ask me, this celibacy of the clergy of our
church isn't at all a thing that anybody can take seriously. Everybody
knows that a clergyman may have his vows absolved by the bishop, so
that after all he can marry if he wants to; so that the whole thing
seems"--
"Well?" he demanded, as she broke off. "Seems how?"
"Pardon me. I didn't realize what I was saying."
"Seems how?" he repeated insistently.
He challenged her with his eyes, and he could see the spark which
kindled defiantly in hers. She threw back her head saucily.
"Well, since you insist! I was going to say that it made the whole
thing seem a little like amateur theatricals."
He became grave instantly.
"I beg your pardon," he said. "You do not seem to understand that what
you are speaking of may mean the bitter sacrifice of a man's whole
life. Even a clergyman is human, and may love as strongly, as
completely"--
He choked with the emotion he could not control. He realized that he
was telling his passion, and there came to him an overwhelming sense
that he must never tell it save in this indirect manner.
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