al luxury, poverty of spirit, the
shirking of all the high alternatives, the common moral mediocrity of
the world. I would to God I could be that stumbling block! I have heard
her--I have seen the light in her that may so possibly be extinguished."

"I don't deny she has a kind of platform gift, but she's losin' her
voice. And she doesn't understand briskin' people up, if you know what I
mean."

"She will be pulled down--she will go under!" Arnold repeated in the
depths of his spirit. He stood up, fumbling with his hat. Mrs. Sand and
her apartment, her children out of doors in the perambulator, and the
whole organisation to which she appertained had grown oppressive and
unnecessary. He was aware of a desire to put his foot again in his own
world, where things were seen, were understood. He thought there might
be solace in relating the affair to Brother Colquhoun.

"It's a case," said Mrs. Sand judicially, "where I wouldn't think myself
called on to say one word. Such things everyone has a right to decide
for themselves. But you oughtn't to forget that a married woman"--she
looked at Arnold's celibate habit as if to hold it accountable for
much--"can have a great influence for good over him that she chooses.
I am pretty sure Captain Filbert's already got Mr. Lindsay almost
persuaded. I shouldn't be at all surprised if he joined the Army himself
when she's had a good chance at him."

Arnold put on his hat with a groan, and began the descent of the stairs.
"Good-afternoon then," Mrs. Sand called out to him from the top. He
turned mechanically and bared his head. "I beg your pardon," he said.
"Good-afternoon."

CHAPTER XIV

Mrs. Sand found it difficult to make up her mind upon several points
touching the visit of the Reverend Stephen Arnold. Its purport, of which
she could not deny her vague appreciation, drew a cloud across a rosy
prospect, and in this light his conduct showed unpardonable; on the
other hand it implied a compliment to the corps, it made the spiritual
position of an officer of the Army, a junior too, a matter of moment
in a wider world than might be suspected; and before this consideration
Mrs. Sand expanded. She reflected liberally that salvation was not
necessarily frustrated by the laying-on of hands; she had serene fancies
of a republic of the redeemed. She was a prey to further hesitations
regarding the expediency of mentioning the interview to Laura, and as
private and confidential it min