“I don’t know it, any more than any one knows the contrary. But one’s religion is extremely ingenious in doing without knowledge.”
“In such a world as this it certainly needs to be!”
Rowland smiled. “What is your particular quarrel with this world?”
“It ‘s a general quarrel. Nothing is true, or fixed, or permanent. We all seem to be playing with shadows more or less grotesque. It all comes over me here so dismally! The very atmosphere of this cold, deserted church seems to mock at one’s longing to believe in something. Who cares for it now? who comes to it? who takes it seriously? Poor stupid Assunta there gives in her adhesion in a jargon she does n’t understand, and you and I, proper, passionless tourists, come lounging in to rest from a walk. And yet the Catholic church was once the proudest institution in the world, and had quite its own way with men’s souls. When such a mighty structure as that turns out to have a flaw, what faith is one to put in one’s poor little views and philosophies? What is right and what is wrong? What is one really to care for? What is the proper rule of life? I am tired of trying to discover, and I suspect it ‘s not worth the trouble. Live as most amuses you!”
“Your perplexities are so terribly comprehensive,” said Rowland, smiling, “that one hardly knows where to meet them first.”
“I don’t care much for anything you can say, because it ‘s sure to be half-hearted. You are not in the least contented, yourself.”
“How do you know that?”
“Oh, I am an observer!”
“No one is absolutely contented, I suppose, but I assure you I complain of nothing.”
“So much the worse for your honesty. To begin with, you are in love.”