It seems to me that the fact
that I have decided, and decided absolutely, is enough."
The face before him grew a shade sterner.
"You seem to forget that you are speaking to your Superior."
"Perhaps," the young man returned with calmness, "it is you who forget
that I have ended that relation."
Father Frontford's face darkened.
"I do not recognize that you have authority to end it."
Maurice tried to repress the irritation which he could not but feel;
and forced himself to speak as civilly as before.
"Will you pardon me," he said; "I do not wish that our last talk should
be bitter. I owe you much, and I shall never cease to respect the
unselfishness with which you have tried to help me. That I cannot
follow your path does not blind me to the fact that you have worked so
untiringly to make the way plain and attractive to me."
He was not without a secret feeling that he was speaking with some
magnanimity, yet he was entirely sincere. He realized with thorough
respect, even at the moment of breaking away, how complete was the
devotion of the Father. There was in his mind, too, some satisfaction
at the tone he had unconsciously adopted.
Pages:
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443