"I would; for in rendering a single hour of his existence on earth unfretted,--in preserving to him one day of ease and comfort,--I should be doing more for all people, all time, at least for the ideal, who will be few in every age, but many in all the ages, and who I believe leaven society better than a priesthood. I would not say so except to a person who perfectly understands me; for as I hold laws to be necessary, I would infringe no social or religious _régime_ by one heterodox utterance to the ear of the uninitiated: still, having said it, I keep to my text, that you must do exactly as he pleases. He has not set a seal upon your throat at present, if you have been singing all the morning." "I have been singing from his new great work. There is a contralto solo, 'Art Thou not from Everlasting?' which spoiled my voice; I could not keep the tears down, it was so beautiful and entreating. He was a little angry at me; at least he said, 'You must not do that.' There is also a very long piece which I scarcely tried, we had been so long over the other, which he made me sing again and again until I composed myself. What a mercy Mr. Davy taught us to read so fast! I have found it help me ever since. Do you mean to go to this oratorio?" "I am to go with Miss Lawrence. How noble, how glorious she is!" "Your eyes sparkle when you speak of her. I knew you would there find a friend." "I hope you, too, will hear it, Miss Benette. I shall speak to the Chevalier about it." "I pray you not to do so; there will not be any reason, for I find out all about those affairs. Take care of yourself, Mr. Auchester, or rather make Miss Lawrence take care of you; she will like to have to do so." "I must go home, if it is not to be just yet, and return on purpose for the day." "But that will fatigue you very much,--cannot you prevent it? One ought to be quiet before a great excitement." "Oh! you have found that. I cannot be quiet until afterwards." "I have never had a great excitement," said Clara, innocently; "and I hope I never may. It suits me to be still." "May that calm remain in you and for you with which you never fail to heal the soul within your power, Miss Benette!" "I should indeed be proud, Mr. Auchester, to keep you quiet; but that you will never be until it is forever." "In that sense no one could, for who could ever desire to awaken from that rest? And from all rest here it is but to awaken." I felt I ought to go, or that I might even remain too long. It was harder at that moment to leave her than it had ever been before; but I had a prescience that for that very reason it was better to depart. Starwood had returned, I found, and was waiting about in the evening, before the candles came.