“My child!” said Bruno, gently, “thou art going to the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. Dost thou know any thing about Him?”
“I know, of course, what the Church teaches.”
“Well; but dost thou know what He teaches? Is He as dear to thee as thine earthly love?”
“No.” The reply was in a rather shamefaced tone; but there was no hesitation about it.
“Is He as dear to thee as the Earl thy father?”
“No.”
“Is He as dear to thee as any person in this house, whomsoever it be,—such as thou hast been acquainted with, and accustomed to, all thy life?”
“Father,” said the low, sad voice, “I am afraid you are right. I do not know Him.”
“Wilt thou not ask Him, then, to reveal Himself to thee?”
“Will He do it, Father?”