Have you seriously and prayerfully thought of your
own duty as a Christian, in this case? Are you quite sure you are acting
as Christ himself would have done?"
"None of us can act as He would have, done," she answered, moving from
away him. Yet her conscience was uneasy. There was, of a truth, no doubt
in her mind as to what the Lord would have done. Yet she could not break
through the habits of a lifetime; no, not even to save the wife of her
favorite nephew. She did not like to give up the hospitable custom. Her
wines were good, bought from the archdeacon's own wine-merchant, and she
enjoyed them herself, and liked to hear her guests praise them. No
question as to the lawfulness of such an enjoyment had ever arisen
before now; but now it troubled her secretly, though she was resolved
not to give way. If Sophy Chantrey could not keep within proper limits,
it was no fault of hers, and no one could blame her for preserving a
harmless custom.
It was not long before Mr. Warden found an opportunity of speaking to
Sophy, though it was an agony to him to do it.
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