So Mrs.Herbert smiled upon her daughter's engagement; but compromised with that accommodating conscience of hers by always speaking of her prospective son-in-law as "poor Alan," just as if she really believed, as she professed she did, that the death of the body and the death of the soul are conditions equally to be deplored.
"You see, my dear," she said to Elisabeth, who came to stay at Wood Glen for Felicia's marriage, which took place in the early summer, "it is such a comfort to Mr.Herbert and myself to know that our dear child is so comfortably provided for.

And then--although I can not altogether countenance his opinions--poor Alan has such a good heart." Elisabeth, remembering that she had once been fascinated by the master of the Moat House, was merciful.

"He is an extremely interesting man to talk to," she said; "he has thought out so many things." "He has, my love.

And if we are tempted to rebuke him too severely for his non-acceptance of revealed truth, we must remember that he was deprived comparatively early in life of both his parents, and so ought rather to be pitied than blamed," agreed Mrs.Herbert, who would cheerfully have poured out all the vials of the Book of Revelation upon any impecunious doubter who had dared to add the mortal sin of poverty to the venial one of unbelief.
"And he is really very philanthropic," Elisabeth continued; "he has done no end of things for the work-people at the Osierfield.

It is a pity that his faith is second-rate, considering that his works are first-class." "Ah! my dear, we must judge not, lest in turn we too should be judged.
Who are we, that we should say who is or who is not of the elect?
It is often those who seem to be the farthest from the kingdom that are in truth the nearest to it." Mrs.Herbert had dismissed a kitchen-maid, only the week before, for declining to attend her Bible-class, and walking out with a young man instead.
"Still, I am sorry that Alan has all those queer views," Elisabeth persisted; "he really would be a splendid sort of person if he were only a Christian; and it seems such a pity that--with all his learning--he hasn't learned the one thing that really matters." "My love, I am ashamed to find you so censorious; it is a sad fault, especially in the young.