Part 14 (1/2)
”So I did, but found I did not want it. But you are not a Yankee that you must answer my question with another. What are you reading?
Won't you read it to me?”
”I would rather not read this book to you; but I will any other that you wish.”
”You must learn human nature better, Mr. Hemstead. Don't you know that you have said just enough to make me wish that book and no other? What is it about?”
”I feel sure that it will have no interest for you. It is one of the latest infidel attacks upon the Bible.”
”O, you are afraid to have me read it.”
”Yes; but not for the reasons implied in your tone.”
”Don't you see that you are taking the very course to awaken my curiosity, and to make me wish to hear just that book? If you had said, 'Certainly, I'll read it to you, but you won't like it, for it's only a dry, heavy book upon a heavy subject,' I would never have looked into it, but would have asked for something else.”
”That would hardly be true, Miss Marsden. Though I regard it as an evil and dangerous book, it is exceedingly clever, and well written, and it is quite popular in some circles. I suppose it has been sent up to Aunt Marchmont with other new books of note.”
”I must certainly read it, since you won't read it to me. Forbid a child to do a thing, you know, and you have given the strongest motive for doing just that thing.”
”You are not a child, Miss Marsden.”
”What am I, then?”
”I hardly know; but you are capable of realizing one's best ideal, almost.”
”Almost! thank you.”
”Perhaps my language is stronger than you realize. The woman who could answer to my ideal would be nearly perfect.”
”And do you think such a paragon would go out among the border ruffians with you?”
”No, nor anywhere else with me. I was speaking of my ideal.”
”You do not expect to marry your ideal, then?”
”I suppose love transfigures the one we love, and that this is the only way we can ever meet our ideal in this life. But sometimes we see one who it seems might approach even the ideal of our unbiased fancy.”
”It is well that you admire these exquisite creatures at a distance,”
she said, dryly. ”I can't see why men will always be so foolish as to think pretty women are good women. But if I am not a child why may I not read that book? You intimate that it will not shake my belief.”
”I do not think it would,--at least I hope it would not.”
”You are not sure.”
”I'm sure it will not shake the Bible. Every age has teemed with infidel books. Yet G.o.d's Word stands to-day as strong and serene as that mountain yonder, to which the setting sun has given a crown of light.”