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"I only thocht ye might have perhaps questioned the
probabeelity o't, in your own mind?"
"I never question Divine authority," replied Olaf Gueldmar, "I pity those
that do!"
"And this Divine authority?" said Duprez suddenly with a delicate
sarcastic smile, "how and where do you perceive it?"
"In the very Law that compels me to exist, young sir," said
Gueldmar,--"in the mysteries of the universe about me,--the glory of the
heavens,--the wonders of the sea! You have perhaps lived in cities all
your life, and your mind is cramped a bit. No wonder, . . . you can
hardly see the stars above the roofs of a wilderness of houses. Cities
are men's work,--the gods have never had a finger in the building of
them. Dwelling in them, I suppose you cannot help forgetting Divine
authority altogether; but here,--here among the mountains, you would
soon remember it! You should live here,--it would make a man of you!"
"And you do not consider me a man?" inquired Duprez with imperturbable
good-humor.


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