SIR LYOLF. Yes, I know. But love is love, and whether it comes from heaven, or whether it comes from the other place, there's no escaping it. I believe it always comes from heaven! (_FATHER HILARY shakes his head._) SIR LYOLF. I'm getting my morals mixed up in my old age, I suppose. But, by God, she loves him, Ned, she loves him--Who's that? (_FATHER HILARY looks out of window, makes a motion of silence._) FATHER H. Hush! He's come back. SIR LYOLF. I must tell him. FATHER H. Let us sound him first, and see what his feelings are. Then we can judge whether it will be wise to let him know. _Enter up steps and by door MICHAEL in a travelling cloak. He enters very listlessly. He has an expression of settled pensiveness and resignation, almost despair. He comes up very affectionately to his father, shakes hands, does the same to FATHER HILARY. Then he sits down without speaking._ SIR LYOLF. Have you come far to-day, Michael? MICH. No, only from Casalta. I stayed there last night. SIR LYOLF. You are back rather sooner than you expected? MICH. I had nothing to keep me away. One place is the same as another. FATHER H. And about the future? Have you made up your mind? MICH. Yes. I had really decided before I went away, but I wanted this week alone to be quite sure of myself, to be quite sure that I was right in taking this final step, and that I should never draw back. (_To FATHER HILARY._) You remember at Saint Decuman's Isle, two years ago, you said you could give me a deeper peace than I could find within or around me? FATHER H. And I can. And I will. MICH. Give me that peace. I need it. When can I be received? FATHER H. When I have prepared you. MICH. Let it be soon. Let it be soon. (_To his father._) This is a blow to you---- SIR LYOLF. You know best. I wish you could have seen your way to stay in your own church. MICH. I was an unfaithful steward and a disobedient son to her. She is well rid of me. (_To FATHER HILARY._) You are sure you can give me that peace---- FATHER H. If you'll but give me your will entirely, and let me break it in pieces. On no other condition. Come and talk to me alone. (_Trying to lead him off left._) SIR LYOLF. No--! (_Goes to MICHAEL._) Michael, you are at peace now, aren't you? (_MICHAEL looks at him._) FATHER H. He will be soon. Leave him to me. SIR LYOLF. No. I must know the truth from him. FATHER H. You're wrong to torture him. SIR LYOLF (_to MICHAEL_). You are at peace now--at least, you are gaining peace, you are forgetting the past? FATHER H. He will. He shall. Say no more. (_To MICHAEL._) Come with me,--I insist! SIR LYOLF. No. Michael, before you take this last step answer me one question--I have a reason for asking. Tell me this truly. If by any chance someone in England--someone who was dear to you----