Two days later Mrs Irving died.
CHAPTER XV
The congregation of St Blank's Church was rendered sad and solicitous
by learning that its rector was on the eve of nervous prostration,
and that his physician had ordered a change of air. He went away in
company with his mother for a vacation of three months. The day
after his departure Joy Irving received a letter from him which read
as follows:-
"My Dear Miss Irving,--You may not in your deep grief have given me a
thought. If such a thought has been granted one so unworthy, it must
have taken the form of surprise that your rector and friend has made
no call of condolence since death entered your household. I want to
write one little word to you, asking you to be lenient in your
judgment of me. I am ill in body and mind. I feel that I am on the
eve of some distressing malady. I am not able to reason clearly, or
to judge what is right and what is wrong. I am as one tossed between
the laws of God and the laws made by men, and bruised in heart and in
soul. I dare not see you or speak to you while I am in this state of
mind. I fear for what I may say or do. I have not slept since I
last saw you. I must go away and gain strength and equilibrium.
When I return I shall hope to be master of myself. Until then,
adieu.
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