His mother was frightened as she saw his face. "What has happened?" she said, starting up. He stared at her almost stupidly for a moment. Then he said, in a stony voice:
"The worst that ever can happen to me in this or any world. If the lightning had burned me to a cinder, I could not be more utterly bereft of all that tends to make a good man. Edith Allen has sold herself to old Crowl. Some priest is going through a farce they will call a marriage, and all the good people will say, 'How well she has done!' What a miserable delusion this religious business is! You had better give it up, mother, as I do, here and now."
"Hush, my son," said Mrs. Lacey, solemnly. "You have only seen Edith
Allen. I have seen Jesus Christ.
"There is some mystery about this," she added, after a moment's painful thought. "I will go and see her at once."
He seized her hand, saying:
"Have I not been a good son to you?"
"Yes, Arden."
"Then by all I have ever been to you, and as you wish my love to continue, go not near her again."
"But, Arden—"
"Promise me," he said, sternly.