God had seemed very far away, and human love was very precious;
too precious to be thrown away in obedience to any man-made law.
But somehow this morning God seemed nearer, and the consciousness of
what she had promised to do terrified her. Disturbed by her
thoughts, she turned towards her toilet-table and caught sight of the
letter of dismissal from the church committee. It acted upon her
like an electric shock. Resentment and indignation re-enthroned
themselves in her bosom.
"Is it to cater to the opinions and prejudices of people like THESE
that I hesitate to take the happiness offered me?" she cried, as she
tore the letter in bits and cast it beneath her feet. Arthur Stuart
appeared to her once more, in the light of a delivering angel. Yes,
she would go with him to the ends of the earth. It was her
inheritance to lead a lawless life. Nothing else was possible for
her. God must see how she had been hemmed in by circumstances, how
she had been goaded and driven from the paths of peace and purity
where she had wished to dwell. God was not a man, and He would be
merciful in judging her.
She sent her landlady two months' rent in advance, and notice of her
departure, and set hurriedly about her preparations.
Twenty-five years before, when Berene Dumont disappeared from
Beryngford, she had, quite unknown to herself, left one devoted
though humble friend behind, who sincerely mourned her absence.
Pages:
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170