the testimony of the senses and the deductions made therefrom by the
intellect."

"But is not that a hasty conclusion, papa?"

"That is a hasty question, my dear. I have come to no conclusion. I was
only speaking confidentially about my fears."

"Perhaps, papa, it's only that he's not sure enough, and is afraid of
appearing to profess more than he believes. I'm sure, if that's it, I have
the greatest sympathy with him."

I looked at her, and saw the tears gathering fast in her eyes.

"Pray to God on the chance of his hearing you, my darling, and go to
sleep," I said. "I will not think hardly of you because you cannot be so
sure as I am. How could you be? You have not had my experience. Perhaps you
are right about Mr. Percivale too. But it would be an awkward thing to get
intimate with him, you know, and then find out that we did not like him
after all. You couldn't like a man much, could you, who did not believe
in anything greater than himself, anything marvellous, grand, beyond our
understanding--who thought that he had come out of the dirt and was going
back to the dirt?"

"I could, papa, if he tried to do his duty notwithstanding--for I'm sure I
couldn't. I should cry myself to death."

"You are right, my child. I should honour him too. But I should be very
sorry for him. For he would be so disappointed in himself."