limit the power of God."

"Most assuredly," said Lady Mabel, who was on this point easily
convinced. "I shall now be ready armed for Moodie, when next he
broaches his dogma of predestination. But will he listen, much less
understand?"

"If his dogma be a truth," continued L'Isle, encouraged by her
approbation, "to know it, or any other revealed truth, can avail us
nothing; for our knowledge, itself a predestined fact, cannot
influence our preordained condition here or hereafter. On the other
hand, if the doctrine be misunderstood or false, it is most dangerous;
there being but a short step between believing it and applying it,
presumptuously, in our own favor, and adversely to our neighbor. We
are ever more successful in deceiving ourselves than others; and to
indulge in the belief that we are the chosen of God, may be only less
dangerous than a conviction of our utter reprobation."

"For my part," said Lady Mabel, "I can appeal yet more confidently to
my feelings than my reason, for a refutation of the doctrine Moodie
has so often urged upon me. I feel within me a capacity to be as
wicked as I please, if fear and reverence did not withhold me."

"And I, as your duenna," said Mrs. Shortridge, "prohibit any such
frank admission of propensity to evil in a young lady under my
charge."

"Why, will you not let me make a Christian confession of the
sinfulness of my nature? It were indeed heresy to claim an equal
capacity for good. There I acknowledge the need of aid from above."