"The priests of old offered whole rams and bullocks upon the altar as tokens and emblems of the entireness with which the worshipper was given to God; the whole offering was consumed by fire and went up to heaven in smoke and fume, all except the little remainder of ashes. We are to be living sacrifices, as wholly given, but given in life, and with our whole living powers to be used and exist for God."
"Yes," said Rotha. "I see it now."
"Are you glad to see it?"
"I think I am. It makes me catch my breath a little."
"Why?"
"It must be difficult to live so."
"Not if we love Christ. Indeed if we love him much, it is impossible to live any other way."
"I understand so far," Rotha said after a pause; "but I do not quite know what you are coming to."
"I am coming to something serious; for I do not know whether in this matter you will like what I like."
In Rotha's eyes there flashed an innocent unconscious response to this speech, saying plainly that she could like nothing else! It was so innocent and so unconscious, and withal so eloquent of the place he held with her, that Mr. Southwode could have smiled; did smile to himself; but he would not be diverted, nor let her, from the matter in hand; which, as he said, was serious. He wished to have it decided on its own merits too; and perceived there would be some difficulty about that. Rotha's nature was so passionately true to its ruling affection that, as he knew, that honest glance of her eyes had told but the simple truth. Mr. Southwode looked grave, even while he could willingly have returned an answer in kind to her eyes' sweet speech. But he kept his gravity and his composed manner, and went on with his work.