"Nor any unworthy wish."
"Nor any carnal affection threatening to draw thy soul away from the path of salvation?"
The shaft was shrewdly aimed. It struck home.
"Father, is it a sin to love?"
"It may be—a deadly sin."
"To love purely, with a high and unselfish devotion?"
"It may be."
"Prithee, tell me how, since God himself is love."
"There is indeed a Godlike love, stooping to the weakest, bending over the lowest, yearning most over the most unworthy, such as the love of the shepherd for his sheep, of the mother for her son, of the true priest for his flock; but let a woman beware how she brings to the altar such a love for her husband."
Elinor started.