Page:Artabanzanus (Ferrar, 1896).djvu/283

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE DOCTOR'S APPARENT FATE
275

warm heart, or a feeling of sympathy for distress, or gratitude for a passing kindness, seduced me into an innocent departure from the conventional rules, I was visited with a fierce and cruel retribution. Take these lessons from me, my friend: beware of wolves in sheep's clothing beware of wine: there is deadly poison in the cup; and oh, Ubertus, beware of women! They are our sweetest companions and most delightful advisers; but if we are guilty of any folly they become whips to scourge us and they can strike without mercy. I need say no more. I must leave you to-morrow. You want to know more about Helen? Ah! you lost what you shall never find again when you rejected those papers I offered you, and preferred going to the Demon's Parliament. But you must forgive me; I will tell you more about her as we walk round Lake Ubertus. Is it not a grand name? It only wants the de to it to make it worthy of the days of William the Conqueror. And now, before we go in, let us unite our voices and hearts in saying fervently: "Blessed be God, who has in mercy brought us out of that pit of darkness into His marvellous light!"'

'I heard you telling the Demon, Julius, that you would write a fashionable book against Christianity, and secure a million of valuable souls."

'Hush! hush! not another word! Did you really think me serious? For whatever lies I have told that malignant being, for the purpose of making my escape from his toils I hold myself pardoned and justified. I am not such a fool as to write a book against a religion which, in the full conviction of my heart, I now know to be true. And of this I am sure: for whatever we have done we need not look for any reward in this world. There is no Jubilee medal reward for you, my boy, or for me either.'

'No, indeed,' said I, laughing. 'Why should there be?'