FATHER H. Let us sound him first, and see what his feelings are. Then we can judge whether it will be wise to let him know.
Enter up steps and by door MICHAEL in a travelling cloak. He enters very listlessly. He has an expression of settled pensiveness and resignation, almost despair. He comes up very affectionately to his father, shakes hands, does the same to FATHER HILARY. Then he sits down without speaking.
SIR LYOLF. Have you come far to-day, Michael?
MICH. No, only from Casalta. I stayed there last night.
SIR LYOLF. You are back rather sooner than you expected?
MICH. I had nothing to keep me away. One place is the same as another.
FATHER H. And about the future? Have you made up your mind?
MICH. Yes. I had really decided before I went away, but I wanted this week alone to be quite sure of myself, to be quite sure that I was right in taking this final step, and that I should never draw back. (To FATHER HILARY.) You remember at Saint Decuman’s Isle, two years ago, you said you could give me a deeper peace than I could find within or around me?
FATHER H. And I can. And I will.