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.
"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. Be explicit; what would you have me to do, Miss Mayfield? Only indicate my work, and tell me how to set about the accomplishment of it, and never knight served liege lady as I will serve you!"
"How? Oh, you must make yourself a position from which to influence people! I do not know that I can advise you how; but you will find a way, as--were I a man, I should!"
"For a woman," said Marian, with a glance full of archness and merriment.
"No, no; for any one, man or woman! But your method, Marian? I beg your pardon, Miss Mayfield," he added, with a blush of ingenuous embarrassment.
"Nay, now," said the frank girl; "do call me Marian if that name springs more readily from your lips than the other. Almost all persons call me Marian, and I like it."
A rush of pleasure thrilled all through his veins; he gave her words a meaning and a value for himself that they did not certainly possess; he forgot that the grace extended to him was extended to all--nay, that she had even said as much in the very words that gave it. He answered:
"And if I do, fairest Marian, shall I, too, hear my own Christian name in music from your lips?"
"Oh, I do not know," said the beautiful girl, laughing and blushing. "If it ever comes naturally, perhaps; certainly not now. Why, the venerable Colonel Thornton calls me 'Marian,' but it never comes to me to call him 'John!'"