‘There is nothing about which you wish to consult me?’
‘No.’
‘There is nothing you wish to confess to me or confide to [[50]]me?—you know that I am not only your brother, but an old friend too.’
‘I have no confession to make.’
‘Have you never done wrong? Is there nothing in your earlier career for which you need to obtain forgiveness or the intercession of the Church?’
‘Indeed, Father, I have done wrong; but others have done more wrong to me than I have done to them.’
‘You have no longer any ill feeling; you have forgiven them?’
‘No,’ said Ambrose, after a moment’s reflection.
‘But you must forgive; you will obtain no peace until you do, and you cannot take the vow while you bear malice in your heart. Before you bid the world farewell you must realize the calm peace of reconciliation.’
‘I cannot.’