Eleanor paused. 'Subterfuge!' she cried, under her breath. Then, aloud—'You asked him to come.'
'That, madame, is my crime,' he admitted, with a mild and painful humility. 'Your anger hits me hard. But—do you remember?—you placed three lives in my hands. I found you helpless; you asked for help. I saw you day by day, more troubled, yet, as it seemed to me, more full of instincts towards generosity, towards peace. I felt—oh! madame, I felt with all my heart, that there lay just one step between you and a happiness that would compensate you a thousand times for all you had gone through. You say that I prayed for you. I did—often—and earnestly. And it seemed to me that—in our later conversations—I saw such signs of grace in you—such exquisite dispositions of the heart—that were the chance of action once more given to you—you would find the strength to seize the blessing that God offered you. And one evening in particular, I found you in an anguish that seemed to be destroying you. And you had opened your heart to me; you had asked my help as a Christian priest. And so, madame, as you say—I dared. I said, in writing to Mr. Manisty, who had told me he was coming northward—"if Torre Amiata is not far out of your road—look in upon me." Neither your name nor Miss Foster's passed my lips. But since—I confess—I have lived in much disturbance of mind!'
Eleanor laughed.
'Are all priests as good casuists as you, Father?'
His eyes wavered a little as though her words stung. But he did not reply.
There was a pause. Eleanor turned towards the parapet and looked outward towards the road and the forest. Her face and eyes were full of an incredible animation; her lips were lightly parted to let the quick breath pass.
Then of a sudden she withdrew. Her eyes moved back to Father Benecke; she bent forward and held out both her hands.
'Father—I forgive you! Let us make peace.'
He took the small fingers into his large palms with a gratitude that was at once awkward and beautiful.
'I don't know yet'—he said, in a deep perplexity—'whether I absolve myself.'