“I like not,” said Holden, “to be made a subject of conversation.  We will find a fitter topic.”

“You spoke of Faith’s resemblance to her mother,” said Mr. Armstrong, “whose quick sensibility had also detected the jarring string; how did you discover it?”

“You forget,” answered Holden, “that in conversation with me you have spoken of her.”

“But not described her appearance.”

“The resemblance of a child to a parent, may be oftentimes deduced from qualities of the mind, and traits of character.  The outer garment is fitted to the interior man.  The exterior and transient is the product of the interior and permanent.  But I mean not that it was thus I discovered the likeness; and if for a moment I misled thee, let me correct my error and thy mistake.  You will consider these as the speculations of a visionary.”

“I do not consider them without foundation,” said Armstrong, who, in the turn given to the conversation, seemed to have forgotten his question.

“It is a speculation which, followed out, might lead to many interesting conclusions,” said Bernard.  “Mr. Holden would greatly oblige us with his ideas.”

“Do,” said Faith, who delighted in the Solitary’s flights.  “Explain, dear Mr. Holden, your theory.”

Holden looked at Mr. Armstrong, who bowed.

“The first man, Adam,” said Holden, “was created perfect, perfect in body as in mind.  The dignity and beauty of his person corresponded to the grandeur and purity of his soul, of which it was the outward expression.  All graces and harmonies, and perfections of creation centered in him, for he was the image of his Maker.  He was incapable of disease, because disease is disharmony and the fruit of sin, which as yet existed not.  And he was obedient unto the voice of the Lord, nor did he transgress His laws in anything.  His meat was the herb of the field and the fruit of the tree, and his drink the running brook.  He had no permission to eat of flesh.  But in an evil hour he fell; a leprosy overspread his body and his soul; the divine purity could not approach as before; and to his closed spiritual eyes, the holy Presence once visible, became shrouded in clouds and thick darkness.  And as the spirit of man waxed more corrupt and he withdrew himself further from his heavenly source, so did his outward appearance, by a necessary law, whereby the outer and superficial conformeth itself, to the inner and hidden, become deformed and hideous.  Hence is man now but a shadow, a skeleton of original beauty.  The primeval perfection and present degeneracy of man, are the tradition of centuries.”

Holden paused; and Faith said, gently, “There is a way to regain the happiness we have lost.”

“There is a way,” said Holden, “through Him, the second Adam, the Lord from heaven.  But mark:  like him, must man be obedient.  A faith without works is fruitless and naught.  How many imagine they have faith, and have it not!  Will they give their bodies to be burned?  Will they sacrifice the dearest thing they have, if it is His will?  Nay, but faith hath almost perished from the earth.”