Thurston trembled with delicious pleasure through all his frame; but,
guarding his eyes, lest again they should frighten off her inspiring
glances, he answered, fervently:
"I know and feel it most profoundly."
And Thurston thought he spoke the very truth, though in sober fact he
had never thought or felt anything about the subject until now that
Marian, his inspirer, poured her life-giving spirit into his soul.
She spoke again, earnestly, ardently.
"You know and feel it most profoundly! That deep knowledge and that deep
feeling is the chrism oil that has anointed you a messenger and a
laborer in the cause of humanity. 'Called and chosen,' be thou also
faithful. There are many inspired, many anointed; but few are faithful!"
"Thou, then, art the high priestess that hast poured the consecrated oil
on my head. I will be faithful!"
He spoke with such sudden enthusiasm, such abandon, that it had the
effect of bringing Marian back to the moderation and _retenue_ of her
usual manner. He saw it in the changed expression of her countenance;
and what light or shade of feeling passed over that beautiful face
unmarked of him? When he spoke again it was composedly.
"You speak as the preachers and teachers preach and teach--in general
terms.
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