s of the last century
recognized as an inalienable possession of mankind, have at last, in
popular opinion, been called in question by our intrusive, persistent
investigation. But I'm as sure as of my own existence, that a time will
come when honest children of the world will be permitted, without
suspicion, to renounce that trinity also, and is not the hope of
contributing to such a future worth the toil of the noblest? Then for
the first time the word tolerance will have attained its full sense;
then conversations like ours will be conducted without the slightest
tinge of vehemence or bitterness, which have blended here and there
with our words to-day, and for which I in particular, as a philosopher,
who ought to have learned to be patient and trust to time, sincerely
beg my honored friend's pardon."

He bent toward her, took her hand, and raised it to his lips. She
absently permitted him to do so, absorbed in thoughts which she
apparently could not express in words. He had already reached the door,
when she said sudden:

"Does Leah know these opinions of yours?"

He paused. A dull pain, a feeling of regret, overpowered him, which he
did not know how to explain. "We have never discussed these questions,"
he replied, "or as school children say, we've not yet _come_ to them.
We're still at the Greek philosophers."

"But when you progress so far, shall you tell her openly what you
think?"

"Certainly, as openly as I have told you. Surely if I showed no reserve
toward you by your personal request and as a matter of friendship, to
my pupil, I should believe myself to be fulfilling a sacred duty in
speaking plainly. For this knowledge her nature yearns; she will digest
it, it will be transmuted into a part of her blood. Could you be so
intolerant, so envious, as to seek to deprive this excellent girl of
what will be a positive benefit to her?"

For a moment she was silent. "I must be perfectly frank with you," she
said, and the embarrassment which flushed her cheeks gave her a winning
expression. "My old friend, Leah's father, asked me to question you
about your belief. He found one of his daughter's exercise books, in
which were certain expressions and sentences that startled him. He
himself is entirely destitute of dogmatic fanaticism, as I've already
told you, but he is a true child of God, and is now alarmed and grieved
to discover that his only daughter aims to be no different from her
teacher: an upright child