“Then how can you think he can like to be alone as a religious man would?”
“Because I think he is a religious man.”
Selina looked very much puzzled. Mary said: “Some other time I will tell you what papa told me about this, and then you will understand what I mean.”
“Does your papa think that Signor Elvi is religious?”
“Yes, he does; but do not fancy that papa is not a Christian. And I do assure you that you may make yourself quite easy about Signor Elvi. He is too wise and good to throw away his life as soon as misfortunes happen.”
“I do not blame people for destroying themselves so much as you do, Mary. They only do it when they are very miserable. I am more sorry for them than you are.”
“Not more sorry, I hope,” said Mary. “I am very sorry for their misery, and I am more sorry still that they have not strength to bear it. They are, indeed, more to be pitied than one can imagine.”
“Not strength!” repeated Selina. “Well, now, I cannot help admiring their courage. I think it shows such great courage to leave every thing that they know, and go they do not know where—to take the leap in the dark, as somebody says.”
“Do you not blame people then, for destroying themselves?” enquired Mary, perplexed in her turn.
“Oh yes, to be sure. It is very wrong, because——because——”