“That is an absurd and irreligious supposition, Westgate. I repeat that I shall make no attempt to dissuade her from carrying out her high purpose, and you, even as her affianced lover, have no right to ask it.”
“I do not ask it any longer, I demand it. I demand that you, as an honest man, and as a minister of God, unseal that woman’s eyes that she may see.”
“As an honest man and a minister of God I shall do all that lies in my power to blind her eyes to any less worthy object than the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom on earth.”
A point had been reached beyond which words were vain. With men in whom the animal instinct predominates, blows would have been next in order. To these gentlemen it was simply apparent that the interview was at an end.
Westgate opened the study door to pass out into the hall, but, facing him, blocking his way, the rector’s wife stood, white-faced and trembling. She had heard the high-pitched voices, the demand and the refusal. Unreasoning fear possessed her. She threw herself into her husband’s arms.
“Oh, Robert!” she cried. “What awful thing has happened now?”
He laid his hand on her head soothingly.
“Don’t be frightened, dear. It is simply another desertion. Mr. Westgate definitely joins our enemies.”
She looked apprehensively at Westgate, and he went up to her and took her hand.