"Good. And a sinner is a condemned criminal. He is not come into this world to see if he may perchance do well, and stand: he is already fallen; he is already under condemnation of law." "Then 'tis even as I said,--there is no fault in any of us," maintained Blanche, sturdily clinging to her point. "`This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.'" "Nay, Master Tremayne, you be now too hard on me. I love not darkness rather than light." "God saith you so do, dear maid. And He knoweth--ay, better than yourself. But look not only on that side of the matter. If a man believe that and no more, 'tis fit to drive him unto desperation. Look up unto the writing which is over the gate into God's narrow way--the gate and the way likewise being His Son Jesus Christ--and read His message of peace sent unto these sinners. `Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.' It is God's ordering, that whosoever _will_, he can." "You said but this last Sunday, Master Tremayne, that 'twas not possible for any man to come to Christ without God did draw him thereto." "_I_ said, my maid? My Master it was which said that. Well--what so?" "Then we can have nought to answer for; for without God do draw us, we cannot come." "And without we be willing to be thus drawn, God will not do it." "Nay, but you said, moreover, that the very will must come from God." "Therein I spake truth." Blanche thought she had now driven her pastor into a corner. "Then you do allow," she asked triumphantly, "that if I should not will the same, I am clean of all fault, sith the very will must needs come from God?" Mr Tremayne understood the drift of his catechumen. "An' it like you, Mistress Blanche, we will leave a moment to make inquiry into that point, till we shall have settled another, of more import to you and me." "What is it, Master?" "Are you willing?" "Willing that I should be saved eternally? Most assuredly." "Then--willing that all the will of God shall be done, in you and by you?" "The one followeth not the other." "I cry you mercy. The King of kings, like other princes, dealeth with His rebels on his own terms." Blanche was silent, and, very uncomfortable. "'Tis time for me to be about my duties. When you shall have fully settled that point of your willingness, Mistress Blanche, and shall have determined that you are thus willing--which God grant!--then, an' it like you, we will go into the other matter." And Mr Tremayne left the room with a bow, very well knowing that as soon as the first point was satisfactorily settled, the second would be left quiescent. Mrs Tremayne had never opened her lips; and leaving her in the study, Blanche wandered into the parlour, where Clare and Lysken were seated at work.