Volume Ii Part 80 (2/2)
”Dr. Quackenboss thinks it extraordinary, Fleda,” said the old lady, with her usual cheerful sedateness, ”that one who has trusted G.o.d, and had constant experience of His goodness and faithfulness for forty years, should not doubt Him at the end of it.”
”You have no doubt ? of any kind, Mrs. Plumfield?” said the clergyman.
”Not the shadow of a doubt!” was the hearty, steady reply.
”You mistake, my dear Madam,” said Dr. Quackenboss, ”pardon me ? it is not that: I would be understood to say, merely, that I do not comprehend how such ? a ? such security ? can be attained respecting what seems so ? a ? elevated ? and difficult to know.”
”Only by believing,” said Mrs. Plumfield, with a very calm smile. ” 'He that believeth on Him shall not be ashamed;' ?
'shall _not _ be ashamed!' ” she repeated, slowly.
Dr. Quackenboss looked at Fleda, who kept her eyes fixed upon her aunt.
”But it seems to me ? I beg pardon; perhaps I am arrogant” ?
he said, with a little bow; ”but it appears to me almost ? in a manner ? almost presumptuous, not to be a little doubtful in such a matter until the time comes. Am I ? do you disapprove of me, Mr. Olmney?”
Mr. Olmney silently referred him for his answer to the person he had first addressed, who had closed her eyes while he was speaking.
”Sir,” she said, opening them, ”it can't be presumption to obey G.o.d, and He tells me to rejoice. And I do ? I do! ? 'Let all those that love thee rejoice in thee, and be glad in thee!' But mind!” she added, energetically, fixing her strong grey eve upon him, ”He does not tell you to rejoice ? do not think it ? not while you stand aloof from His terms of peace.
Take G.o.d at His word, and be happy; but if not, you have nothing to do with the song that I sing!”
The doctor stared at her till she had done speaking, and then slunk out of her range of vision behind the curtains of the bed-post. Not silenced, however.
”But ? a ? Mr. Olmney,” said he, hesitating, ”don't you think that there is in general ? a ? a becoming modesty, in ? a ? in people that have done wrong, as we all have ? putting off being sure until they are so? It seems so to me!”
”Come here, Dr. Quackenboss,” said aunt Miriam.
She waited till he came to her side, and then taking his hand, and looking at him very kindly, she said ?
”Sir, forty years ago I found in the Bible, as you say, that I was a sinner, and that drove me to look for something else. I found then G.o.d's promise, that if I would give my dependence entirely to the Subst.i.tute he had provided for me, and yield my heart to his service, he would, for Christ's sake, hold me quit of all my debts, and be my father, and make me his child.
And, Sir, I did it. I abhor every other dependence ? the things you count good in me I reckon but filthy rags. At the same time, I know that ever since that day, forty years ago, I have lived in his service, and tried to live to his glory. And now, Sir, shall I disbelieve his promise? do you think he would be pleased if I did?”
The doctor's mouth was stopped, for once, He drew back as soon as he could, and said not another word.
Before anybody had broken the silence, Seth came in; and after shaking hands with Fleda, startled her by asking, whether that was not Mr. Carleton in the other room.
”Yes,” Fleda said ? ”he came to see aunt Miriam.”
”Aint you well enough to see him, mother?”
”Quite ? and very happy,” she said.
Seth immediately went back and invited him in. Fleda dared not look up while the introductions were pa.s.sing ? of ”the Rev.
Mr. Olmney,” and of ”Dr. Quackenboss,” the former of whom Mr.
Carleton took cordially by the hand, while Dr. Quackenboss, conceiving that his hand must be as acceptable, made his salutations with an indescribable air, at once of attempted gracefulness and ingratiation. Fleda saw the whole in the advancing line of the doctor's person, a vision of which crossed her downcast eye. She drew back then, for Mr. Carleton came where she was standing, to take her aunt's hand; Seth had absolutely stayed his way before to make the said introductions.
Mrs. Plumfield was little changed by years or disease since he had seen her. There was somewhat more of a look of bodily weakness than there used to be; but the dignified, strong- minded expression of the face was even heightened; eye and brow were more pure and unclouded in their steadfastness. She looked very earnestly at her visitor, and then with evident pleasure from the manner of his look and greeting. Fleda watched her eye softening with a gratified expression, and fixed upon him, as he was gently talking to her.
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