Immediately after the arrest and imprisonment of Comston, Ernest called to see Clara in order to give such comfort as the circumstances would allow. He did not find her in tears, as he had expected. On the contrary, her face, though sad, wore a hard, stony expression. She acted as those unfortunate wives, who have lost their affection for their husbands, and who are looking forward to be released by the divorce of nature. The drunkard’s wife can be freed only by the premature death of her husband. She may not desire such a termination to her continual troubles, but she lives in constant expectation of such an end, and when it does come, she is not greatly surprised, for it is nothing more than she has anticipated. Clara was just in this condition. She had once loved Xerxes Comston as much as it was in her nature to love any one. But this affection had been eradicated by his brutal conduct and disgusting habits.
“I do assure you,” said Ernest, “I sympathize with you in your trials. Such misfortunes look dark to us, but God is good and kind, and we must be resigned to His holy will. All is for the best.”
“You think, then,” cried Clara, “it is best that Mr. Comston should kill Mr. Jones, and be hanged for it, do you?”
“We must not jump to conclusions,” mildly answered Ernest. “No trial has taken place, and we surely ought not to judge of the divine purposes before they are developed. Even after they are accomplished, we may not understand them. I have no doubt, that in every instance, God brings good out of evil.”
“Do you believe,” asked Clara, “that God has anything to do with this horrible affair?” And she looked at him almost savagely.
“Certainly,” replied Ernest gently, “I believe that God has something to do with every event.”
“Do you think,” exclaimed Clara, “that God made my husband a drunkard?”
“No, certainly not,” answered Ernest. “He made himself a an—inebriate. He is a free-agent, and the Lord permitted him to exercise his powers. God is not the author of men’s sins. He does not force them to sin. But if Mr. Comston killed Mr. Jones, which I do not think has been proved yet, you may rest assured that the Lord will bring good out of it in some way, and make it redound to His glory.”
“I don’t see how that can be,” said Clara.
“You may never see it in this world,” replied Ernest, “and you may live to see the day, when you will feel thankful for this very misfortune, as you now regard it.”