Felix could not help asking whether this had long dwelt on his
thoughts.
'No,' he said, 'that's the wonder! I thought myself a nice,
gentlemanly, honourable fellow. Oh!' with a groan. 'Fancy that! I
never thought of recollecting these things, or what they have made
me. Only, somehow, when those children seemed so shocked at my
advising them to hold their tongues about their bit of mischief--I
thought first what fools you all were to be so scrupulous, and then I
recollected the lots of things I have concealed, till I began to
think, Is this honour--would it seem so to Lance--or Felix? And then
came down on me the thought of what you believe, of God seeing it
all, and laying it up against one for judgment; and I know--I know it
is true!' and there came another heavy groan, and the great eyes
shone in the twilight in terror.
'If you know that is true,' said Felix, steadfastly and tenderly,
'you know something else too. You know Whom He sent into the world
for our pardon for these things.'
There was a tightening of the grasp as if in acquiescence and
comfort; but the nurse came back to tidy the room, and still Fernando
clung to Felix, and would not let him go.
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