"Certainly not. Why should I? They would not be even grateful."
"Quite so. You expect a reward for your good deeds."
"In this world. You look for yours in the next."
"No; though I admit that the temptation is strong. I try to serve God out of love and gratitude."
"Ridiculous, even if true. Such self-abnegation is beyond me."
"Yes, that is what I call being really and truly good."
"I see--that is, I don't see. You are always so impossible."
"Nothing is impossible with God's help, as without it nothing is possible. Listen, Lady James;" and with his soul on fire to raise her from the material to the spiritual, Lionel attempted reasonable argument. For over half an hour did he preach, expound, warn, demonstrate, quote, deduce, persuade; but at the end of thirty-five rapid minutes he found her and himself again at the starting point.
Leah listened critically, and even with interest. Hindered by her limitations from seeing a satisfactory conclusion, she declined the tournament, and retired to watch her opponent tilt at giants which she mistook for windmills. Said the inversely deceived Donna Quixota: "How well you talk, Lionel! Why don't you leave the Church and go in for Parliament?"
The curate shook the cold water of this douche out of his ears, and rose, markedly discouraged. "I cannot make you understand," he said sadly; "only the Holy Spirit can convince you of your need."