human
How such vulgar cases, he said aloud, to the astonishment of the Advocate's wife, who deemed the subject dismissed,
gpt
We travel by different roads, said Father Capel.
human
You do not take into account the prompting of evil spirits, ever on the alert to promote discord and instigate to crime. It is that consideration which makes me tolerant of human error, which makes me pity it, which makes me forgive it.
gpt
I dispute your spiritual basis. All motive for crime springs from within ourselves.
human
Nay, nay,
gpt
Pardon me for restraining you. I was about to say that not only does all motive for human crime spring from within ourselves, but all motive for human goodness as well. If your thesis that evil spirits prompt us to crime is correct, it must be equally correct that good spirits prompt us to deeds of mercy, and charity, and kindness. Then there is no merit in performing a good action. You rob life of its grace, and you virtually declare that it is an injustice to punish a man for murdering his fellow-creature. Plainly stated, you establish the doctrine of irresponsibility. I will not do you the injustice of believing that you are in earnest. Your tolerance of human error, and your pity and forgiveness for it, spring from natural kindliness, as my tolerance of it, and my lack of pity and forgiveness for it, spring from a natural hardness of heart, begot of much study of the weakness, perverseness, and selfishness of my species. In the rank soil of these imperfections grows that wondrous, necessary tree known by the name of Law, whose wide-spreading branches at once smite and protect. You may thank this tree for preserving to some extent the decencies of society.
human
Well expressed, Pierre Lamont, said Jacob Hartrich approvingly.
gpt
I regret that the Advocate is not present to listen to your eloquence.
human
Ah, said Pierre Lamont, with a scarcely perceptible sneer,
gpt
You strike both friend and foe, said Father Capel, with much gentleness.
human
It is as dangerous to agree with you as to dissent from you. But in your extravagant laudation of the profession of which you are a representative you lose sight of a mightier engine than Law, towering far above it in usefulness, and as a protection, no less than a solace to mankind. Without Religion, Law would be powerless, and the world a world of wild beasts. It softens, humanizes----
gpt
Invents, sneered Pierre Lamont, with undisguised contempt,
human
If you will have it so, yes. Fables to divert men's minds from sordid materialism into purer channels. Be thankful for Religion if you practise it not. In the Sabbath's holy peace, in the hush and calm of one day out of the turbulent seven, in the influences which touch you closely, though you do not acknowledge them, in the restraint imposed by fear, in the charitable feelings inspired by love, in the unseen spirit which softens and subdues, in the yearning hope which chastens grief when one dear to you is lost, lie the safeguard of your days and much of the happiness you enjoy. So much for your body. For your soul, I will pray to-night.
gpt
Father Capel, said Pierre Lamont in a voice of honey,
human
What need, my son, asked Father Capel,
gpt
Let me pay for my sins,
human
For the poor, he said.
gpt
In their name I bless you!
human
The priest has the best of it, said Adelaide to Christian Almer.
gpt
I hate these dry arguments! It is altogether too bad that I should be called upon to entertain a set of musty old men. How much happier we should be, we two alone, even in the mountains where you have been hiding yourself from me!
human
You are in better health and spirits, said Jacob Hartrich, drawing Almer aside,
gpt
It is many years since we were together under this roof,
human
You were so young at the time, rejoined the banker,
gpt
My remembrance is very keen. I could have been scarcely six years of age, and we had no visitors. I remember that my curiosity was excited because you were admitted.
human
I came on business, said Jacob Hartrich, and then, unwilling to revive the sad reminiscences of the young man's childhood, he said abruptly:
gpt
Almer, you should marry.
human
What is that you are saying? interposed the Advocate's wife;
gpt
So, so, my fair dame, thought Pierre Lamont, who had overheard this remark.
human
Bright as you appear, there is a skeleton in your cupboard. Chains and shackles! But you are sufficiently self-willed to throw these off. And he said aloud:
gpt
Can you ascertain for me if Fritz the Fool has returned from Geneva?
human
Certainly,
gpt
If he has returned, said Pierre Lamont,
human
If the trial is over, said Christian Almer,
gpt
You need not expect him so soon, said Pierre Lamont;
human
A favourite of yours, evidently.
gpt
I have the highest respect for him. This particular fool is the wisest fool in my acquaintance.
human
Well, Fritz, called out Pierre Lamont,
gpt
Yes, Master Lamont, and we're ready for the next.
human
The verdict, Fritz, the verdict?
gpt
If I were a bandy-legged man, said Fritz, ignoring the question,
human
I would hire some scoundrel to do a deed, so that you might be on one side and my lord the Advocate on the other. Then we should witness a fine battle of brains.
gpt
Come, Fritz--the verdict!
human
On second thoughts, said Fritz quietly,
gpt
No fooling, Fritz. The verdict; Acquitted?
human
What else? Washed white as driven snow.
gpt
I knew it would be so, cried the old lawyer triumphantly.
human
How was it received?
gpt
The town is mad about it. The women are furious, and the men thunderstruck. You should have heard the speech! Such a thing was never known. Men's minds were twisted inside out, and the jury were convinced against their convictions. Why, Master Lamont, even Gautran himself for a few minutes believed himself to be innocent!
human
Enough, said Christian Almer sternly.
gpt
Leave the room.