"
Smarting, or rather smothering, under the outrageous insult of
these remarks, Farnsworth at first determined to fling his
resignation at the Governor's feet and then do whatever desperate
thing seemed most to his mood. But a soldier's training is apt to
call a halt before the worst befalls in such a case. Moreover, in
the present temptation, Farnsworth had a special check and
hindrance. He had had a conference with Father Beret, in which the
good priest had played the part of wisdom in slippers, and of
gentleness more dove-like than the dove's. A very subtle
impression, illuminated with the "hope that withers hope," had
come of that interview; and now Farnsworth felt its restraint. He
therefore saluted Hamilton formally and walked away.
Father Beret's paternal love for Alice,--we cannot characterize it
more nicely than to call it paternal,--was his justification for
a certain mild sort of corruption insinuated by him into the heart
of Farnsworth. He was a crafty priest, but his craft was always
used for a good end. Unquestionably Jesuitic was his mode of
circumventing the young man's military scruples by offering him a
puff of fair weather with which to sail toward what appeared to be
the shore of delight. He saw at a glance that Farnsworth's love
for Alice was a consuming passion in a very ardent yet decidedly
weak heart.
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