Gwent smoked leisurely, regarding his companion with unfeigned
interest.

"Apparently you haven't much respect for life?" he said.

"Not when it is diseased life--not when it is perverted life;"--
returned Seaton--"Then it is mere deformity and encumbrance. For
life itself in all its plenitude, health and beauty I have the
deepest, most passionate respect. It is the outward ray or reflex of
the image of God--"

"Stop there!" interrupted Gwent--"You believe in God?"

"I do,--most utterly! That is to say I believe in an all-pervading
Mind originating and commanding the plan of the Universe. We talk of
'ions' and 'electrons'--but we are driven to confess that a Supreme
Intelligence has the creation of electrons, and directs them as to
the formation of all existing things. To that Mind--to that
Intelligence--I submit my soul! And I do NOT believe that this
Supreme Mind desires evil or sorrow,--we create disaster ourselves,
and it is ourselves that must destroy it, We are given free-will--if
we 'will' to create disease, we must equally 'will' to exterminate
it by every means in our power."

"I think I follow you"--said Gwent, slowly--"But now, as regards
this Supreme Intelligence, I suppose you will admit that the plan of
creation is a dual sort of scheme--that is to say 'male and female
created He them'?"

"Why, of course!" and Seaton smiled--"The question is superfluous!"