t scarcely attempted opposition. Gradually she got quite
used to his doctrine, and as she got used to it, it seemed less
dreadful, and rather less sad. What wickedness could there be in denying
a God whom the very works attributed to him declared not to exist! Mr.
Faber was a man of science, and knew it. She could see for herself that
it must draw closer the bonds between human beings, to learn that there
was no such power to hurt them or aid them, or to claim lordship over
them, and enslave them to his will. For Juliet had never had a glimpse
of the idea, that in oneness with the love-creating Will, alone lies
freedom for the love created. When Faber perceived that his words had
begun and continued to influence her, he, on his part, grew more kindly
disposed toward her superstitions.

Let me here remark that, until we see God as He is, and are changed into
His likeness, all our beliefs must partake more or less of superstition;
but if there be a God, the greatest superstition of all will be found to
have consisted in denying him.

"Do not think me incapable," he said one day, after they had at length
slid back into their former freedom with each other, "of seeing much
that is lovely and gracious in the orthodox fancies of religion. Much
depends, of course, upon the nature of the person who holds them. No
belief could be beautiful in a mind that is unlovely. A sonnet of
Shakespeare can be no better than a burned cinder in such a mind as Mrs.
Ramshorn's. But there is Mr. Wingfold, the curate of the abbey-church! a
true, honest man, who will give even an infidel like me fair play:
nothing that finds acceptance with him can be other than noble, whether
it be true or not. I fear he expects me to come over to him one day. I
am sorry he will be disappointed, for he is a fellow quite free from the
flummery of his profession. For my part, I do not see why two friends
should not consent to respect each other's opinions, letting the one do
his best without a God to hinder him, and the other his best with his
belief in one to aid him. Such a pair might be the most emulous of
rivals in good works."

Juliet returned no satisfactory response to this tentative remark; but
it was from no objection any longer in her mind to such a relation in
the abstract. She had not yet at all consented with herself to abandon
the faith of her father, but she did not see, and indeed it were hard
for any one in her condition to see, why a man and a w