I was afraid he would stop again. "I don't think you mentioned the exact name," I said.
"Wilsing, my friend's own place. High walls, and lonely gardens, but too many servants--they all looked questions at us. Gardeners would touch their caps and look round after we had passed--you can imagine it. It was while we were at Wilsing that I married Mala. And shortly afterwards my poor friend had to be taken away. You see, doctor, he was a very earnest man, and very religious. He had gone too far along a new road, and he was horribly frightened but could not go back. It was too much for him. Mala and I had to go away also, of course. I remember hotels that would not take us in. We have been followed in the streets by jeering crowds. Even when I had found Felonsdene there was endless trouble before I could buy it. No tenant could be found for it--there is some silly story that the place is haunted. Besides, the house was all in ruins, and too far from--from everything. And yet the owner would not sell."
"Oh, yes, I got it in the end. I tempted him. Here we have arranged life as we wish it to be, and we practise our religion without molestation. There are consolations."
"The consolations of religion," I suggested.
Suddenly he put down his pipe and stood up erect. He stretched an arm out clumsily towards me. His eyes flashed under the bright gas-jets, and his nostrils quivered. He spoke in a low voice but with the most intense emphasis. "You don't know what you're saying. In our religion there are no consolations. There is only propitiation, and again propitiation, and always propitiation--the sacrifice of more and more as the end draws nearer." He swept his arm round and pointed at the door of his wife's room. "What consolation is there from the Power that there--in there, where you have been--linked love with life only to link life with death again? What consolation from the Power that has closed and sealed the door of knowledge?"
He sat down and remained silent. I was beginning to form some conclusions.
"Linked to bitterness and yet something. For example--I have Mala."
"Yes, the child too. For a little time perhaps."
There was again a pause. The rain had cleared now and I rose to go. "Mr Tarn," I said, "before I leave you I think it my duty as a doctor to tell you something."