The general recognised the features of the once bright and blooming girl, though her dress looked strange.
“I have come on purpose to take you, my dear girl,” he answered, holding her tightly. “I am in your good father’s place—trust to me.” He then, turning to the Lady Superior, said, “I have the right, as this young lady’s guardian, to take her away from you, as she has expressed her wish to accompany me. Mr Franklin will explain all that is necessary. I bid you good morning, Madam.”
“Sister Clare, remember your vows,” again repeated the Lady Superior, in a solemn voice; “the anathema—”
“I cannot allow such language to be uttered to my client,” said Mr Franklin; and he went on to explain the legal rights of guardians in a way which was calculated to keep the Lady Superior silent. The general, meantime, half leading, half carrying poor Clara, reached his carriage, which at a sign to the coachman approached to receive them. Mr Franklin, observing that the general had handed in Clara, followed, having directed the coachman to drive off, leaving the Lady Superior and her companion in a state better imagined than described. Looking back, the lawyer observed that they had re-entered the convent.
Clara was no sooner seated than she burst into tears. “I have been very miserable, but I have myself alone to blame,” she said. “I knew what you would think, while I obstinately listened to Mr and Mrs Lerew, and to what they had taught Aunt Sarah to say to me. Still, I wanted to consult you, but as you were too angry with me to write, I could not have my doubts solved; and even Harry cast me off, and refused to have any further correspondence with me. I don’t blame him, for I knew his opinions, and he warned me—”
“My dear Clara, do you think it possible that I should not have written to you, or that Harry should have neglected to do so?” interrupted the general. “I wrote letter upon letter, and got no answer, and Harry told me that he had written over and over again, and at last had enclosed a letter to your aunt, but that she had returned it, saying that she did so at the recommendation of your spiritual adviser, who considered that it would be highly improper for you, who had become a bride of the Church, to receive a letter from a mortal lover.”
“Then I have been deceived and betrayed,” exclaimed Clara, “entirely through my own folly, and I have caused Harry terrible pain and annoyance.”
“There is no doubt that you have been deceived and betrayed,” said the general; “but we do not blame you, except that instead of seeking guidance and direction from the loving Father who is ever ready to afford it, you allowed yourself to be led by fallible human beings, who in this instance had, I suspect, an object in inducing you to follow the line they had pointed out. You did not distinguish between the works which these Sisters of Charity propose undertaking and the system and principles by which they are guided. The works themselves are such as all Christians are bound to engage in or support, whereas the system is idolatrous, and encourages will-worship; the works are made to support the system, instead of, as it should be, love and obedience to our heavenly Master producing the works. Our loving Father wishes His children to be happy and to enjoy the good things with which He provides them. No monastic rules, no peculiar dress, no vows of obedience to fallible mortals like ourselves, no fasts or penances are required to enable us to obey His laws; all we need is to seek for grace and strength from Him to do His will; and knowing that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin, we can go boldly to Him in prayer, offered up through our sole High Priest and Mediator, who ever pleads the efficacy of that blood.”
“I know you speak the truth,” said Clara; “but I felt myself so unworthy, I fancied that God would not receive me unless I made some sacrifices in His service.”
“You dishonoured Him, my dear child, by thinking so,” answered the general; “He will in no wise cast out those who come to Him, and He desires all to come just as they are, with humble and contrite spirits; but not under the idea that they can first put away their sins, and merit His love by any good deeds or penances they may perform. Such acts as are pleasing in His sight must spring from loving obedience to Him; all He does is of free grace; we can merit nothing, because we owe Him everything. When you see this clearly, you will understand more perfectly the wrong principles on which the whole Romish and ritualistic systems, and, believe me, they are identical, are founded.”