Cary shuddered; the fact, true and palpable as it was, had never struck him before.

“Yes! or make her deny her God by torments, if she hasn’t done it already for love to that—­I know how love will make a body sell his soul, for I’ve been in love.  Don’t you laugh at me, Mr. Will, or I shall go mad!”

“God knows, I was never less inclined to laugh at you in my life, my brave old Jack.”

“Is it so, then?  Bless you for that word!” and Jack held out his hand.  “But what will become of my soul, after my oath, if I don’t seek her out, just to speak to her, to warn her, for God’s sake, even if it did no good; just to set before her the Lord’s curse on idolatry and Antichrist, and those who deny Him for the sake of any creature, though I can’t think he would be hard on her,—­for who could?  But I must speak all the same.  The Lord has laid the burden on me, and done it must be.  God help me!”

“Jack,” said Cary, “if this is your duty, it is others’.”

“No, sir, I don’t say that; you’re a layman, but I am a deacon, and the chaplain of you all, and sworn to seek out Christ’s sheep scattered up and down this naughty world, and that innocent lamb first of all.”

“You have sheep at Hartland, Jack, already.”

“There’s plenty better than I will tend them, when I am gone; but none that will tend her, because none love her like me, and they won’t venture.  Who will?  It can’t be expected, and no shame to them?”

“I wonder what Amyas Leigh would say to all this, if he were at home?”

“Say?  He’d do.  He isn’t one for talking.  He’d go through fire and water for her, you trust him, Will Cary; and call me an ass if he won’t.”

“Will you wait, then, till he comes back, and ask him?”

“He may not be back for a year and more.”

“Hear reason, Jack.  If you will wait like a rational and patient man, instead of rushing blindfold on your ruin, something may be done.”

“You think so!”

“I cannot promise; but—­”

“But promise me one thing.  Do you tell Mr. Frank what I say—­or rather, I’ll warrant, if I knew the truth, he has said the very same thing himself already.”

“You are out there, old man; for here is his own handwriting.”

Jack read the letter and sighed bitterly.  “Well, I did take him for another guess sort of fine gentleman.  Still, if my duty isn’t his, it’s mine all the same.  I judge no man; but I go, Mr. Cary.”

“But go you shall not till Amyas returns.  As I live, I will tell your father, Jack, unless you promise; and you dare not disobey him.”

“I don’t know even that, for conscience’ sake,” said Jack, doubtfully.

“At least, you stay and dine here, old fellow, and we will settle whether you are to break the fifth commandment or not, over good brewed sack.”

Now a good dinner was (as we know) what Jack loved, and loved too oft in vain; so he submitted for the nonce, and Cary thought, ere he went, that he had talked him pretty well round.  At least he went home, and was seen no more for a week.