‘I supposed you knew. But it is laid upon me to make a confession before you. I have to ask your pardon, most humbly and truly.’
‘Do you mean that some one has told you to do this?’
‘Oh no!’ A gleam of infinite conceit shot over the humility of Jessica’s countenance. ‘I am answerable only to my own soul. In the pursuit of an ideal which I fear you cannot understand, I subdue my pride, and confess how basely I behaved to you. Will you grant me your forgiveness?’
She clasped her gloveless hands before her breast, and the fingers writhed together.
‘If it is any satisfaction to you,’ replied Nancy, overcome with wonder and pity, ‘I will say those words. But don’t think that I take upon myself—’
‘Only say them. I ask your pardon—say you grant it.’
Nancy uttered the formula, and with bowed head Jessica stood for a minute in silence; her lips moved.
‘And now,’ she said at length, ‘I must fulfil the second part of the duty which has brought me here.’ Her attitude changed to one of authority, and her eyes fixed themselves on Nancy’s, regarding her with the mild but severe rebuke of a spiritual superior. ‘Having acknowledged my wrong-doing, I must remind you of your own. Let me ask you first of all—have you any religious life?’
Nancy’s eyes had turned away, but at these words they flashed sternly upon the speaker.
‘I shall let you ask no such question.’