'
'Not mine, Neville, not mine. You know with whom forgiveness lies,
as the highest attribute conceivable. Miss Helena, you and your
brother are twin children. You came into this world with the same
dispositions, and you passed your younger days together surrounded
by the same adverse circumstances. What you have overcome in
yourself, can you not overcome in him? You see the rock that lies
in his course. Who but you can keep him clear of it?'
'Who but you, sir?' replied Helena. 'What is my influence, or my
weak wisdom, compared with yours!'
'You have the wisdom of Love,' returned the Minor Canon, 'and it
was the highest wisdom ever known upon this earth, remember. As to
mine - but the less said of that commonplace commodity the better.
Good night!'
She took the hand he offered her, and gratefully and almost
reverently raised it to her lips.
'Tut!' said the Minor Canon softly, 'I am much overpaid!' and
turned away.
Retracing his steps towards the Cathedral Close, he tried, as he
went along in the dark, to think out the best means of bringing to
pass what he had promised to effect, and what must somehow be done.
'I shall probably be asked to marry them,' he reflected, 'and I
would they were married and gone! But this presses first.'
He debated principally whether he should write to young Drood, or
whether he should speak to Jasper. The consciousness of being
popular with the whole Cathedral establishment inclined him to the
latter course, and the well-timed sight of the lighted gatehouse
decided him to take it.
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