“Man is ennobled by pain,” he said, looking so handsome that it must have been a cynic indeed who doubted that he spoke sense. “Our character is refined to pure gold. The gross lusts of the flesh, the commonness which is in all of us, the pettiness of spirit, disappear in these profitable afflictions. From a bed of sickness may spring the most delicate flowers of unselfishness, of devotion, and of true saintliness. Do not seek to avoid pain, but accept it as the surest guide to all that is in you of beauty, of heavenliness, and of truth.” For his own part, when forced to visit his dentist for the extraction of a tooth, he took good care to have gas properly administered. In the present instance he looked upon himself as a surgeon who applies irritation that the ragged edges of an ulcer may inflame and heal. Possibly there was also in his determination to strike no sudden blow, a certain human weakness from which Canon Spratte often confessed he was not exempt. He had not the heart to interrupt the scheme which he had so ingeniously devised. He was like a debater who has convinced his adversary by the first section of an argument, but for his own pleasure, and in the interests of truth, duly exposes the rest of his contention. He sat down at the little writing-table which was in the drawing-room and scribbled a note. He took out an envelope. “By the way, my love, what is the address of dear Mrs. Railing?” Winnie looked up with astonishment. “What do you want it for?” “Come, my darling, it’s nothing improper, I hope.” “_Balmoral_, Rosebery Gardens, Gladstone Road.” “It sounds quite aristocratic,” he said, suavely. “Their Liberalism is evidently a family tradition.” He fastened the envelope, and, blotting it, rose from the desk. “I consider it my duty to be as cordial as possible to your future relations, Winnie, and I have a natural curiosity to make their acquaintance. I have asked Mrs. Railing to bring her daughter to tea, and I shall ask your uncle to meet them.” “Oh, father, you don’t know what they’re like!” “My dear, I don’t expect to find them highly educated. I take it they are rough diamonds with hearts of gold. I’m prepared to like Mrs. Railing.” “Papa, don’t ask any one else--she drinks.” “Well, well, we all have our little failings in this world,” returned the Canon, blandly. He had gone too far. Winnie gave him a long, keen look, and the old note of defiance came back to her face. “I hope you don’t think I can ever break my engagement with Bertram. Nothing on earth shall induce me to do that. I’ve given him my solemn promise and I’d sooner die than break it.” The Canon raised his eyebrows in a very good imitation of complete amazement. “My dear, I have not the least intention of thwarting you in any way. I think it wrong and even wicked for a father to attempt to influence his children’s matrimonial choice. Their youth and inexperience naturally make them so much more capable of judging for themselves.” XI