"No, not when you find fault with me, you're quick enough and sharp enough then, but you don't let me know what you feel about Paradise, and God, and the Heavenly Things." There was a little silence, then Thorold said suddenly: "When I went down to Cornwall I got a new waterproof coat. I was not sure whether it was as genuine as the shopkeeper stated, I wanted a storm-proof garment, not a shower-proof one, and I told him so. There are wild storms round the Cornish coast, and I was soon out in one. My coat kept me dry, but it needed the storm for me to test it. It wouldn't have been any good to me if it had only kept the showers off." "Now, what on earth are you driving at?" "Don't you see that the storms in life ought not to shake our faith in God? They are test times and sent to us for the purpose. Your religion is a very flimsy fabric if it will not stand you when trouble comes. A man learns to know the value of his fireproof safe if a fire takes place, in a way that he would never know otherwise. What do you think has happened to your Heavenly Father? Is not He above, ordering all things still? If He thinks fit to send you trouble and loneliness and the loss of your friend, ought you not to accept it at His hand? Think of Job in the first overwhelming moments of his trouble: "'What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?' "Surely your faith is robust enough, and your love sincere enough, to trust in the One Who has you in His keeping! I heard some one say once—'A knife does not only cut to wound but to beautify.' He was speaking of the gardener's ruthless pruning at times, but go into any Cathedral and see the effect of the knife and the chisel on the walls and roofs, making it a building of delight and joy to all who are in it. You have been touched by the knife now. Is it not going to beautify your character? Teach you patience and submission, and courage to endure?" "Oh, you are severe! You make me feel so wicked! But I do believe I am, and it is myself that is all wrong, and God Who is all right!" Gentian gazed before her with dreamy thoughtful eyes. Then she got up from her seat. "I don't like long sermons, though I asked you to give me one, but I've had more than enough. Enough to think over and act up to, and perhaps one day thank you for! Isn't it like you, not to give me one little word of pity or of kindness, only stringent, pungent words bracing me to endure?" Thorold had risen from his seat at the same time she had, now he turned abruptly to the window. His heart was hammering against his side, his whole soul was longing to take the girl into his arms and keep her there. He did not know when or how she had stolen her way to his heart, but she was enshrined there now, and he, in his old-fashioned, self-sacrificing way was daily trying to persuade himself that he was too old and dull a personage to mate with such a fresh young flower of youth.