He packed his belongings, and,
leaving them to be called for, set out for the house of his cousin. To
go out from the Clergy House seemed to him like the ending of a life.
Mrs. Staggchase was fortunately at home. It seemed to Maurice that her
keen eyes took in the whole story from his secular dress. He blushed as
she gave him her hand.
"Well, my dear boy," she observed, "you have come to luncheon, I
suppose, because the fare at the Clergy House is so poor in Lent. Sit
down, and give me an account of your doings last night. I trust that
you saw Mrs. Wilson safe home."
"I left her in the church."
"Ah! And what did you do then?"
"I went home and fought it out with myself. You were right in saying
that things were not concluded when I became a deacon. I have given up
the whole thing."
"What do you mean by the whole thing?"
"I mean," he returned earnestly, "that I found out that I was acting a
part. That I didn't believe even the first principles of the religion I
was getting ready to teach. I have broken down in the temptation,
Cousin Diana."
She looked at him closely. The buoyancy of his morning mood was gone,
and it was hard for him to endure her searching look.
Pages:
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448