She positively refuses
to see one. Indeed, May, to be frank with you, I fear there is
something dreadful preying on Helen's mind. She sees no company; and
although she had prepared to go to Newport with my mother, she declined
going: in fact, it's all a mist, and I am puzzled to death to find out
the end of it."
"Mr. Jerrold," said straightforward May, "these are all the signs of a
troubled conscience. Did you know that Helen was once a Catholic, and
in virtually abandoning her religion, she is only suffering the pangs
of a soul which cannot be at rest in its apostasy?"
"Do you really believe this, May?" he asked, eagerly.
"I really do. Religion is a _vital principle_. It cannot be torn from
the soul without inflicting the most incurable wounds," she replied,
while her eyes filled up with tears; "and these wounds give birth to an
anguish, which is the prelude of eternal woe!"
"_Why_ did she do it, May? _I_ did not require it. It is true I was
better pleased to have her a Protestant, but I thought she was
exercising her own free will in the matter. Do you know it would
grieve me sincerely if I thought I had influenced her? It would not a
month ago, but now--hang it all!" said Mr. Jerrold, taking off his hat,
and running his fingers through his hair.
"And why _now_, and not _then_?" inquired May, with interest.
"Why, you see, May, I was so delighted with the eloquence of the
preacher the night we went to the 'Mission,' that I stepped in several
times afterwards, and was considerably enlightened on some points; in
fact, a great deal of prejudice and ignorance were removed by the
clear, close, cogent arguments I heard.
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