"Ruth has had some
years of peace, in which to grow stronger and wiser, so that she
can bear her shame now in a way she never could have done at
first."
"All the same it was wrong in me to do what I did."
"I did it too, as much or more than you. And I don't think it
wrong. I'm certain it was quite right, and I would do just the
same again."
"Perhaps it has not done you the harm it has done me."
"Nonsense! Thurstan. Don't be morbid. I'm sure you are as
good--and better than ever you were."
"No, I am not. I have got what you call morbid, just in
consequence of the sophistry by which I persuaded myself that
wrong could be right. I torment myself. I have lost my clear
instincts of conscience. Formerly, if I believed that such or
such an action was according to the will of God, I went and did
it, or at least I tried to do it, without thinking of
consequences. Now, I reason and weigh what will happen if I do so
and so--I grope where formerly I saw. Oh, Faith! it is such a
relief to me to have the truth known, that I am afraid I have not
been sufficiently sympathising with Ruth."
"Poor Ruth!" said Miss Benson. "But at any rate our telling a lie
has been the saving of her. There is no fear of her going wrong
now."
"God's omnipotence did not need our sin."
They did not speak for some time.
"You have not told me what Mr. Bradshaw said."
"One can't remember the exact words that are spoken on either
side in moments of such strong excitement.
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