“By leaning on Christ,” the Bishop had said, “every true Christian rises into true life, peace, and joy; he lives in His life, sees light in His light, is invigorated with His warmth, grows in His strength, and leaning on the Beloved, his soul ascends upwards.”
Then for those who loved Christ and leaned on Him, either He must be with them in Purgatory, and then it would be no pain at all: or—Avice shrank from the alternative that perhaps there was no Purgatory at all! It is hard to break free from trammels in which we have been held all our lives. Bertha did not follow the course of her aunt’s thoughts, and wondered why she said, after long silence—
“Methinks God is enough for His people, wherever they are.”
Hester also had been thinking, and to as much purpose.
“It is written, ‘In His name shall the Gentiles trust,’” she said. “And I think, if He can love any Gentiles, it must be kindly and merciful hearts like yours. Perhaps the Great Sacrifice—the Messiah Himself—is meant for all men. But I think He will finish His work, and not leave it incomplete, as your priests seem to teach you.”
“He will do right by all men, if thou meanest our Lord,” replied Avice gently. “And what was right for all, and best for us, we shall know when we come to Him.”
“Then the little Lady knows it now, Aunt,” said Bertha.
“Yes, my darling knows it now. It may be she knows why her ears were sealed and her tongue bound, now that they are unstopped and loosed. And I marvel if any voice in the choirs of the angels can be so sweet as hers.”
There was silence for a little while. Then Hester rose.
“I thank you very much for your kindness,” she said. “I think I might go home. The streets seem quieter now.”