"No, eight years. We were married just eight years,"
he said, soberly.

The color flew into her face. "Oh, yee; we were married eight
years when I came in."

He looked at her with great tenderness. "Athalia, I have to confess
to you that when you came I didn't think it would last with you.
I distrusted the Holy Spirit. And I came, myself, against my will,
as you know. But now I begin to think you were led--and perhaps you
have led me."

Athalia gave a little gasp--"WHAT!"

"I am not sure yet," he said.

"You said Shakerism was unhuman!" Athalia protested, with a thrill
of panic in her voice.

"Ah!" he cried, his voice suddenly kindling, "you know
what Nathan is always saying?--'That's not against it'?
Athalia, its unhumanness, as you call it, is why I think it
may be of God. The human in us must give way to the divine.
'First that which is natural; then that which is spiritual.'"

"I--don't understand," she said, faintly; "you are not a Shaker?"

"No," he said, "not yet. But perhaps some day--I am trying
to follow you, Athalia."