“Intrusted him with a work that I had hoped—would be given to me, that I had thought myself—specially adapted for.”
“What work?”
“The taking in of books—political books—from the steamers that bring them—and finding a hiding place for them—in the town———”
“And this work was given by the party to your rival?”
“To Bolla—and I envied him.”
“And he gave you no cause for this feeling? You do not accuse him of having neglected the mission intrusted to him?”
“No, father; he has worked bravely and devotedly; he is a true patriot and has deserved nothing but love and respect from me.”
Father Cardi pondered.
“My son, if there is within you a new light, a dream of some great work to be accomplished for your fellow-men, a hope that shall lighten the burdens of the weary and oppressed, take heed how you deal with the most precious blessing of God. All good things are of His giving; and of His giving is the new birth. If you have found the way of sacrifice, the way that leads to peace; if you have joined with loving comrades to bring deliverance to them that weep and mourn in secret; then see to it that your soul be free from envy and passion and your heart as an altar where the sacred fire burns eternally. Remember that this is a high and holy thing, and that the heart which would receive it must be purified from every selfish thought. This vocation is as the vocation of a priest; it is not for the love of a woman, nor for the moment of a fleeting passion; it is FOR GOD AND THE PEOPLE; it is NOW AND FOREVER.”
“Ah!” Arthur started and clasped his hands; he had almost burst out sobbing at the motto. “Father, you give us the sanction of the Church! Christ is on our side——”