"I could but cannot, because Don Pablo would refuse to accept help from me, and I could but will not, because he would turn such strength to an evil purpose."
Alice nodded and shivered. "He is not a good man. I hate him."
"You must pity him. He is not good, it is true, but that is because he is dominated by his lower self. For him as for all men God has nothing but everlasting love."
"But he is my enemy," remonstrated the girl, perplexed. "I feel that he is my enemy, doctor."
"What of that? Does not the Great Master tell us to love our enemies?"
"But that standard is impossible to reach," said Montrose quickly.
"If you act in your own strength it is. But all things are possible with God, and only in His strength do we conquer. Do not think of Narvaez as bad, for by doing so your angry thoughts add to the burden of evil he bears. Send thoughts of love and pity to refresh his struggling soul, which the animal forces are striving to overwhelm."
"I am sorry for him in one way," murmured Alice. "At least I think that I am sorry."
"You have every reason to be, but I don't think you truly are," said Eberstein dryly. "Because you read the letter of the commandment and do not comprehend the spirit. I cannot very well explain either to you or to Montrose, as your limitations are yet great. But I ask you both to pity the man and to hope that he may grow better."
"Oh, I shall do that," said Douglas readily. "There is great room for improvement, isn't there?"