'Nothing to do with it; it is the very contrast and opposite, in fact.
Don't you see? "Lift up the light of thy countenance;"—you know what
the "light" of a smiling, loving face of approval is? You know that,
Queen Esther?'
'That?' repeated Esther breathlessly. 'Yes, I know; but this is God.'
'Yes, and I do not understand; but that is what it means.'
'You don't understand!'
'No. How should I? But that is what it means. Something that answers to what among us a bright face of love is, when it smiles upon us. That is "light," isn't it?'
'Yes,' said Esther. 'But how can this be, Pitt?'
'I cannot tell. But that is what it means. "The Lord make His face to shine upon thee." They are very fine words.'
'Then I suppose,' said Esther slowly, 'if anybody had that, he wouldn't want comfort?'
'He wouldn't be without it, you mean? Well, I should think he would not. "The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."'
'But I don't understand, Pitt.'