“I think,” I said, “that even that is possible, because on earth things are often mere symbols, and clothe themselves in material forms; and it is the form which deludes us.  I do not myself doubt that grace flows into us by very different channels.  We may not deny the claim of any one to derive grace from any source or symbol that he can.  The only thing we may and must dare to dispute is the claim that only by one channel may grace flow.  But I think that the words of the one whom you loved, of whom you spoke, are indeed true, and that the love of each other and of God is the force which draws us, by whatever rite or symbol or doctrine it may be interpreted.  That, as I read it, is the message of Christ, who gave up all things for utter love.”

As I said this, our guide and Amroth entered the cell.  The man rose up quickly, and drawing me apart, thanked me very heartily and with tears in his eyes; and so we said farewell.  When we were outside, I said to the guide, “May I ask you one question?  Would it be of use if I remained here for a time to talk with that poor man?  It seemed a relief to him to open his heart, and I would gladly be with him and try to comfort him.”

The guide shook his head kindly.  “No,” he said, “I think not.  I recognise your kindness very fully—­but a soul like this must find the way alone; and there is one who is helping him faster than any of us can avail to do; and besides,” he added, “he is very near indeed to his release.”

So we went to the door, and said farewell; and Amroth and I went forward.  Then I said to him as we went down through the terraced garden, and saw the inmates wandering about, lost in dreams, “This must be a sad place to live in, Amroth!”

“No, indeed,” said he, “I do not think that there are any happier than those who have the charge here.  When the patients are in the grip of this disease, they are themselves only too well content; and it is a blessed thing to see the approach of doubt and suffering, which means that health draws near.  There is no place in all our realm where one sees so clearly and beautifully the instant and perfect mercy of God, and the joy of pain.”  And so we passed together out of the guarded gate.

XXIII

“Well,” said Amroth, with a smile, as we went out into the forest, “I am afraid that the last two visits have been rather a strain.  We must find something a little less serious; but I am going to fill up all your time.  You had got too much taken up with your psychology, and we must not live too much on theory, and spin problems, like the spider, out of our own insides; but we will not spend too much time in trudging over this country, though it is well worth it.  Did you ever see anything more beautiful than those pine-trees on the slope there, with the blue distance between their stems?  But we must not make a business of landscape-gazing like our friend Charmides!  We are men of affairs, you and I. Come, I will show you a thing.  Shut your eyes for a minute and give me your hand.  Now!”