Ah! vain confidence, how many have you led astray! who judge of the Almighty by their own false ideas, instead of His pure unerring Word! Where do we find in the Bible that any sin, committed from any motive whatsoever, finds indulgence from the God of holiness and truth?
“I do not feel quite easy,” murmured Charles.
“Nor I. Yet I hope that we have not really wandered from the way. I hardly see what else we could have done.”
The servants now brought in tea and coffee. Clementina, looking tired and out of spirits, came into the drawing-room, and was almost immediately followed by Mr. Ewart.
“Mr. Ewart,” exclaimed Mr. Hope, stopping suddenly in what he was saying on perceiving the entrance of the clergyman, and addressing him in a sharp, stern, decided manner, “allow me to ask you one question.”
The tutor silently bowed.
“Did you, or did you not, converse yesterday in the park with the butcher Staines?”
“I did do so,” replied Mr. Ewart, without hesitation.
Ernest bit his lip, till he almost brought blood.
“Did you, or did you not, advise him to vote against me?” continued Mr. Hope, in a tone of suppressed fury.