"Men say so, 'for
the hardness of their hearts.' But the divine pity which transformed
men's idea of marriage could never have meant to lay it down that in
marriage alone there was to be no forgiveness."
"You forget your text," said Ashe, steadily. "Saving for the cause--'"
His voice failed him.
"Permissive!" was the Dean's eager reply--"permissive only. There are
cases, I grant you--cases of impenitent wickedness--where the higher law
is suspended, finds no chance to act--where relief from the bond is
itself mercy and justice. But the higher law is always there. You know
the formula--'It was said by them of old time. But
I say unto you--'
And then follows the new law of a new society. And so in marriage. If
love has the smallest room to work--if forgiveness can find the
narrowest foothold--love and forgiveness are imposed on--demanded
of--the Christian!--here as everywhere else. Love and forgiveness--
notpenalty and hate!"
"There is no question of hate--and--I doubt whether I am a Christian,"
said Ashe, quietly, turning away.
The Dean looked at him a little askance--breathing fast.
"But you are a
heart, William!" he said, using the privilege, of his
white hairs, speaking as he might have spoken to the Eton boy of twenty
years before--"ay, and one of the noblest.
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