"Tried how?" "To be good." "Is it said anywhere in the Bible that being 'good' and being a Christian are synonymous terms?" "I thought it was." "We have our Lord's own declaration that there is only one good Being in the universe, 'that is God.' Salvation is not offered to good people, but to bad ones." "Well--I am _so_ bad that I don't believe it is meant for me." "The Bible says, '_there is no difference_.' Everybody has got to come to Christ on one level." "Some are worse than others." "True; but when it comes to our relation to Christ, we all stand shoulder to shoulder. I have spent a large part of my life in believing on and working for Him, but that does not entitle me to one atom of His favor. I must go to Him, every day, just as you must go now, denouncing, renouncing myself, and receive Him, by faith, as my only ground of hope." Gabrielle looked puzzled, and was about to raise another objection, but they were interrupted, and the conversation was not renewed till the next day. CHAPTER XVIII. Gabrielle knelt that night at her bedside, with a latent, but strong, desire to walk, not by faith, but by sight. She wanted to hear an audible voice from heaven to assure her that she might feel sure of salvation. Mrs. Grey had had large experience in dealing with souls, and soon detected and brought this to light when they next met in her dressing-room. "I wish there was something I could _do_ to make God love me," the child began. "My dear, there is something." "What is it?" was the eager demand. "Believe on His Son, Jesus Christ." Gabrielle's countenance fell. "I can't believe. I don't know how!" she said. "My child, if I should tell you that I was going to take you to drive this afternoon, you would believe me, should you not?" "Yes, indeed." "That would be having faith in me." "Yes; but it wouldn't be loving you, and God says we must love Him. Even if I can believe in Him, I can't make myself love Him. I am sure I would if I could." "If it is true that you cannot love Him, then He will not condemn you at the last day." "It's all perfectly _horrid_!" cried Gabrielle, bewildered and excited. "Don't say so, my poor child!" said Mrs. Grey, drawing the girl to her and kissing her burning cheeks. "Christ is altogether lovely, and all His paths are peace. He puts no difficulties in your way; you make them yourself. Now let me ask you one question. Have you not asked our Lord to save your soul?" "Yes; hundreds of times." "And has He refused hundreds of times?" "He must have, for I am not saved." "Will you prove to me that you are not?" "Why, if I was saved I should be full of joy; and instead of that I am full of misery."