it, that the love of woman is our weakness? For if so, then would
a celibate clergy have grant of immunity. But, alas, it is not so with
them! We have to deplore the hearing of reports too credible. Again we
are pushed to contemplate woman as the mysterious obstruction to the
perfect purity of soul. Nor is there a refuge in asceticism. No
more devilish nourisher of pride do we find than in pain voluntarily
embraced. And strangely, at the time when our hearts are pledged to
thoughts upon others, they are led by woman to glance revolving upon
ourself, our vile self! Mr. Barmby clutched it by the neck.

Light now, as of a strong memory of day along the street, assisted him
to forget himself at the sight of the inanimate houses of this London,
all revealed in a quietness not less immobile than tombstones of an
unending cemetery, with its last ghost laid. Did men but know it!--The
habitual necessity to amass matter for the weekly sermon, set him noting
his meditative exclamations, the noble army of platitudes under haloes,
of good use to men: justifiably turned over in his mind for their good.
He had to think, that this act of the justifying of the act reproached
him with a lack of due emotion, in sympathy with agonized friends truly
dear. Drawing near the hospitable house, his official and a cordial
emotion united, as we see sorrowful crape-wreathed countenances. His
heart struck heavily when the house was visible.

Could it be the very house? The look of it belied the tale inside. But
that threw a ghostliness on the look.

Some one was pacing up and down. They greeted Dudley Sowerby. His
ability to speak was tasked. They gathered, that mademoiselle and 'a
Miss Pridden' were sitting with Nesta, and that their services in a
crisis had been precious. At such times, one of them reflected, woman
has indeed her place: when life's battle waxes red. Her soul must be
capable of mounting to the level of the man's, then? It is a lesson!

Dudley said he was waiting for Dr. Themison to come forth. He could not
tear himself from sight of the house.

The door opened to Dr. Themison departing, Colney Durance and Simeon
Fenellan bare-headed. Colney showed a face with stains of the lashing of
tears.

Dr. Themison gave his final counsels. 'Her father must not see her. For
him, it may have to be a specialist. We will hope the best. Mr. Dartrey
Fenellan stays beside him:--good. As to the ceremony he calls for, a
form of it might soothe:-