n his most engaging manner, "that Mr.
Holden is not offended at my classing him among those who for delicacy
and refinement were never surpassed."

"I like not," said Holden, "to be made a subject of conversation. We
will find a fitter topic."

"You spoke of Faith's resemblance to her mother," said Mr. Armstrong,
"whose quick sensibility had also detected the jarring string; how did
you discover it?"

"You forget," answered Holden, "that in conversation with me you have
spoken of her."

"But not described her appearance."

"The resemblance of a child to a parent, may be oftentimes deduced
from qualities of the mind, and traits of character. The outer garment
is fitted to the interior man. The exterior and transient is the
product of the interior and permanent. But I mean not that it was thus
I discovered the likeness; and if for a moment I misled thee, let
me correct my error and thy mistake. You will consider these as the
speculations of a visionary."

"I do not consider them without foundation," said Armstrong, who,
in the turn given to the conversation, seemed to have forgotten his
question.

"It is a speculation which, followed out, might lead to many
interesting conclusions," said Bernard. "Mr. Holden would greatly
oblige us with his ideas."

"Do," said Faith, who delighted in the Solitary's flights. "Explain,
dear Mr. Holden, your theory."

Holden looked at Mr. Armstrong, who bowed.

"The first man, Adam," said Holden, "was created perfect, perfect in
body as in mind. The dignity and beauty of his person corresponded
to the grandeur and purity of his soul, of which it was the outward
expression. All graces and harmonies, and perfections of creation
centered in him, for he was the image of his Maker. He was incapable
of disease, because disease is disharmony and the fruit of sin, which
as yet existed not. And he was obedient unto the voice of the Lord,
nor did he transgress His laws in anything. His meat was the herb of
the field and the fruit of the tree, and his drink the running brook.
He had no permission to eat of flesh. But in an evil hour he fell; a
leprosy overspread his body and his soul; the divine purity could
not approach as before; and to his closed spiritual eyes, the holy
Presence once visible, became shrouded in clouds and thick darkness.
And as the spirit of man waxed more corrupt and he withdrew himself
further from his heavenly source, so did his outward appearance, by a
necessary