"Do not say that--you libel yourself and are letting a base and
material fear cloud your own trust," answered May. "As there is
no human reason for what has happened, so no human reason will be
found to explain it. By denying me, you are denying the sole means
by which this dark terror can be banished. You are denying God's
offer of peace. We must not only seek peace, but ensure it. That
means that we are now called to take such steps as the Almighty
puts at our service by the road of conscience and faith. I have
a right to this revelation as my boy's father. The cup is mine,
and you will do very wrongly if you deny me the right to drink it.
I desire to say, 'Peace be to this house' before I leave it, and,
Christian to Christian, you cannot deny me, or hesitate as to your
answer."

No argument would bend his obstinate conviction, and he debated
with great force from his own standpoint. He presented a man
overmastered and mentally incapable of appreciating any argument
against his possession.

But Sir Walter, now determined, was as obstinate as the clergyman.
Mannering bluntly declared that it would be suicide on May's part,
and a conniving at the same by any who permitted him to attempt
his vigil.

"I, too, must do my duty as I see it," summed up the master of
Chadlands, "and after I have done so, then we may be in a position
to admit the case is altered."

The other suddenly rose and lifted his hands. He was trembling