"
The simple and divine diplomacy by which this "enmity" is removed
was unknown to her.
She turned to note how Miss Burton received a message that was so
unwelcome to herself, and saw that she was not listening. There
was a dreamy far-away look in her eyes that clearly was not inspired
by the thought of "enmity."
"She is probably thinking of the artist and the ideal future that
he can give her. How foolish it is in poor Ik there to try to rival
HIM! It was an unlucky day for us both, cousin of mine, when we
came to this place!"
More disheartened and despondent than ever, she rode homeward with
her mother, answering questions only in monosyllables. All that
religion had said to her that morning was: "Give up the world--all
with which you have hitherto been familiar, and have enjoyed." God
was an infinite, all-powerful, remote abstraction, and yet for His
sake she must resign everything which would enable her to forget,
or at least disguise the pain and jealousy which were at times
almost unendurable; and she knew of no substitute with which to
replace "the world" she was asked to forego.
This religion of mere negation, expulsion, and restraint is too
often presented to the mind.
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