ter of cleansing and
growth. Misfortune he would not know by that name: there was no _mis_
but in himself, and that the messenger of Satan was there to buffet. So
long as God was, all was right. No wonder the minister then was
incapable of measuring the gate-keeper! But Polwarth was right about
him--as he went home he pondered the passage to which he had referred
him, wondering whether he was to regard the fortune sent him as a
messenger of Satan given to buffet him.

CHAPTER XXVI.

THE SURGERY DOOR.

That Juliet loved Faber as she had at one time resolved never to love
man, she no longer attempted to conceal from herself; but she was far
from being prepared to confess the discovery to him. His atheism she
satisfactorily justified herself in being more ready to pity than to
blame. There were difficulties! There were more than difficulties! Not a
few of them she did not herself see how to get over! If her father had
been alive, then indeed!--children must not break their parents' hearts.
But if, as _appeared_ the most likely thing, that father, tenderly as
she had loved him, was gone from her forever, if life was but a flash
across from birth to the grave, why should not those who loved make the
best of it for each other during that one moment "brief as the lightning
in the collied night"? They must try to be the more to one another, and
the time was so short. All that Faber had ever pleaded was now
blossoming at once in her thought. She had not a doubt that he loved
her--as would have been enough once at all events. A man of men he
was!--noble, unselfish, independent, a ruler of himself, a benefactor of
his race! What right had those _believers_ to speak of him as they did?
In any personal question he was far their superior. That they
undervalued him, came all of their narrow prejudices! He was not of
their kind, therefore he must be below them! But there were first that
should be last, and last first!

She felt herself no whit worthy of him. She believed herself not for a
moment comparable to him! But his infinite chivalry, gentleness,
compassion, would be her refuge! Such a man would bear with her
weaknesses, love her love, and forgive her sins! If he took her God from
her, he must take His place, and be a God-like man to her! Then, if
there should be any further truth discoverable, why indeed, as himself
said, should they not discover it together? Could they be as likely to
discover it apart, and distrac