Can a man go farther than his nature?  Never, when he takes passion on board.  By other means his nature may be enlarged and nerved, but passion will find his weakness, and, while urging him on, will constantly betray him at that point.  Edward had three interviews with Dahlia; he wrote to her as many times.  There was but one answer for him; and when he ceased to charge her with unforgivingness, he came to the strange conclusion that beyond our calling of a woman a Saint for rhetorical purposes, and esteeming her as one for pictorial, it is indeed possible, as he had slightly discerned in this woman’s presence, both to think her saintly and to have the sentiments inspired by the overearthly in her person.  Her voice, her simple words of writing, her gentle resolve, all issuing of a capacity to suffer evil, and pardon it, conveyed that character to a mind not soft for receiving such impressions.

CHAPTER XLVIII

Major Waring came to Wrexby Hall at the close of the October month.  He came to plead his own cause with Mrs. Lovell; but she stopped him by telling him that his friend Robert was in some danger of losing his love.

“She is a woman, Percy; I anticipate your observation.  But, more than that, she believes she is obliged to give her hand to my cousin, the squire.  It’s an intricate story relating to money.  She does not care for Algy a bit, which is not a matter that greatly influences him.  He has served her in some mysterious way; by relieving an old uncle of hers.  Algy has got him the office of village postman for this district, I believe; if it’s that; but I think it should be more, to justify her.  At all events, she seems to consider that her hand is pledged.  You know the kind of girl your friend fancies.  Besides, her father insists she is to marry “the squire,” which is certainly the most natural thing of all.  So, don’t you think, dear Percy, you had better take your friend on the Continent for some weeks?  I never, I confess, exactly understood the intimacy existing between you, but it must be sincere.”

“Are you?” said Percy.

“Yes, perfectly; but always in a roundabout way.  Why do you ask me in this instance?”

“Because you could stop this silly business in a day.”

“I know I could.”

“Then, why do you not?”

“Because of a wish to be sincere.  Percy, I have been that throughout, if you could read me.  I tried to deliver my cousin Edward from what I thought was a wretched entanglement.  His selfish falseness offended me, and I let him know that I despised him.  When I found that he was a man who had courage, and some heart, he gained my friendship once more, and I served him as far as I could—­happily, as it chanced.  I tell you all this, because I don’t care to forfeit your esteem, and heaven knows, I may want it in the days to come.  I believe I am the best friend in the world—­and