“I was sure it would be.”
“The Lord has burned it out of my heart.”
“He has breathed upon your heart and purified it. I am glad you recognize it. I am glad, too, that you seem calmer now, and more like yourself again.”
“Yes, I am more like myself. I see that I had no reason for getting so wrought up. But—oh, it was frightful.” Elias shuddered. In a minute he asked, “Can you forgive me?”
“Forgive you? For what?”
“You know—the way I acted.”
“It isn't a question of forgiveness. You didn't understand. I could not have expected you to act otherwise.”
“You are very generous. I was, as you say, ignorant. I acted like a brute.”
“You acted according to your light—which was dim. I understood. The Lord gave me to understand. When you first came into my study last night, and told me what you meant to do, the Lord gave me to understand. He assured me that it would all come out well in the end—that the marriage would never take place. That is why I spoke as I did. I felt perfectly sure. I did not fear for an instant. But now, Elias, we must stop talking. You must go to bed, and sleep.”
“I don't believe I shall be able to sleep tonight.”