"
"Then face it, man. Go home and write the whole truth to
Bross. I'll do it for you--no, I won't, either. Stand up
to it yourself. You must hurt one of two women; choose
the one that will suffer only in her vanity. I tell you
that Scotch entanglement of yours is pure cardboard
farce--it won't stand examination. It's appalling to
think that out of an extravagant, hypersensitive conception
of honour, egged on by that poor girl, you could be
capable of turning it into the reality of your life."
"I've taken all these points of view, sir, and I can't
throw the woman over. The objection to it isn't in
reason--it's somehow in the past and the blood. It would
mean the sacrifice of all that I hold most valuable in
myself. I should expect myself after that to stick at
nothing--why should I?"
"There is one point of view that perhaps you have not
taken," said Dr Drummond, in his gravest manner. "You
are settled here in your charge. In all human probability
you will remain here in East Elgin, as I have remained
here, building and fortifying the place you have won for
the Lord in the hearts of the people. Advena Murchison's
life will also go on here--there is nothing to take it
away. You have both strong natures. Are you prepared for
that?"
"We are both prepared for it. We shall both be equal to
it.
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