Only Sir Robert Dacre said, “Poor old creature! don’t let us saddle her with Joe’s sins. I dare say she has plenty of her own.”
“Plenty? I should think so. She is a horrid old wretch,” answered Mr Bagnall. “And do but think, if this miserable creature has not the arrogance and presumption to say that her sins are forgiven!”
“I suppose Christ died that somebody’s sins might be forgiven?” said Mr Keith, in his quiet way.
“Of course, but those are respectable people,” Mr Bagnall said, rather indignantly.
“Before or after the forgiveness?” asked Mr Keith.
“Sir,” said Mr Bagnall, rather stiffly, “I am not accustomed to discuss such matters as these at table.”
“Are you not? I am,” said Mr Keith, quite simply.
“But,” continued Mr Bagnall, “I thought every one understood the orthodox view—namely, that a man must do his best, and practise virtue, and lead a proper sort of life, and then, when God Almighty sees you a decent and fit person, and endeavouring to be good He helps you with His grace.” (Note 2.)
“Of course!” said the Vicar of Sebergham—I suppose by way of Amen.
“Men are to do their best, then, and practise these virtues, in the first instance, without any assistance from God’s grace? That Gospel sounds rather ill tidings,” was Mr Keith’s answer.