der her feet that she might possess the world and
the things of the world. Glory spoke the words aloud, forgetting they
were not her own, until she heard another voice saying, "May I come in,
dear?"

It was John at the door. She was ashamed of her costume then, but there
was no running away. "Yes, of course, come in," she cried, trembling all
over, half afraid to be seen, and yet proud too of her beauty and her
splendour. When he entered she was laughing nervously and was about to
say, "See, this has happened before----"

But he saw nothing unusual, and she was disappointed and annoyed. Coming
in breathless, as if he had been running, he flung himself down on one
end of the couch, threw his hat on the other end, and said: "What did I
tell you, Glory? That a way would open itself, and it has!"

"Really?"

"Didn't you think of it when you saw the news in the papers this
morning?"

"What news?"

"That Father Damien is dead."

"But can you--do you really mean that--do you intend----"

"I do, Glory--I do."

"Then you didn't get my letter this morning?"

"Oh, yes, dear, yes; but you were only thinking for me--God bless
you!--that I was giving up a great scene for a little one. But this--this
is the greatest scene in the world, Glory. Life is a small sacrifice; the
true sacrifice is a living death, a living crucifixion."

She felt as if he had taken her by the throat and was choking her. He had
got up and was walking to and fro, talking impetuously.

"Yes, it is a great sacrifice I am asking you to make now, dear. That
far-off island, the poor lepers, and then lifelong banishment. But God
will reward you, and with interest too. Only think, Glory! Think of the
effect of your mere presence out there among those poor doomed creatures!
A young and beautiful woman! Not a melancholy old dolt like me, preaching
and prating to them, but a bright and brilliant girl, laughing with them,
playing games with them, making mimicry for them, and singing to them in
the voice of an angel. Oh, they'll love you, Glory, they'll worship
you--you'll be next to God and his blessed mother with them. And already
I hear them saying among themselves: 'Heaven bless her! She might have
had the world at her feet and made a great name and a great fortune, but
she gave it all up--all, all, all--for pity and love of us!' Won't it be
glorious, my child? Won't it be the noblest thing in all the world?"

And she struggled to answer, "Yes, no doubt