As a conscientious hater of sin, he did not attempt to minimize Babcock’s act or the insult put upon her.  That done, he was free to intercede fervently for him and to extol the virtue and the advisability of forgiveness.  This plea, however cogent, was narrow, and once stated admitted merely of duplication in the same form.  It was indeed no argument, merely an appeal, and, in proportion as it failed to move the listener, became feeble.  Selma listened to him with a tense face, her hands clasped before her in the guise of an interested and self-scrutinizing spirit.  But she betrayed no sign of yielding, or symptom of doubt.  She shook her head once or twice as he proceeded, and, when he paused, asked why she should return to a man who had broken faith with her; asked it in such a genuine tone of conviction that Dr. Glynn realized the weakness of his own case, and became slightly nettled at the same time.

“True,” he said, rather sternly, “your husband has committed a hideous, carnal sin, but he is genuinely repentant.  Do you wish to ruin his life forever?”

“His life?” said Selma.  “It would ruin my life to return to him.  I have other plans—­plans which will bring me happiness.  I could never be happy with him.”

The clergyman was baffled.  Other plans!  The words offended him, and yet he could not dispute her right to do as she chose.  Still he saw fit to murmur:  “He that findeth his life shall lose it, and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”

Selma flushed.  To be accused of acting contrary to Christian precepts was painful and surprising to her.  “Mr. Glynn,” she said, “I see you don’t understand.  My husband and I ought never to have married.  It has all been a dreadful mistake.  We have not the same tastes and interests.  I am sorry for him, but I can never consent to return to him.  To do so would condemn us both to a life of unhappiness.  We were not intended for husband and wife, and it is best—­yes, more Christian—­for us to separate.  We American women do not feel justified in letting a mistake ruin our lives when there is a chance to escape.”

Mr. Glynn regarded her in silence for a moment.  He was accustomed to convince, and he had not succeeded, which to a clergyman is more annoying than to most men.  Still what she said made his plea seem doubtful wisdom.

“Then you do not love your husband?” he said.

“No,” said Selma quietly, “I do not love him.  It is best to be frank with one’s self—­with you, in such a matter, isn’t it?  So you see that what you ask is out of the question.”

Mr. Glynn rose.  Clearly his mission had failed, and there was nothing more to be said.  Being a just man, he hesitated to pass an unkind judgment on this bright-faced, pensive woman.  She was within her moral rights, and he must be careful to keep within his.  But he went away bewildered and discomfited.  Selma would have liked to dismiss the subject and keep him longer.  She would have been glad to branch off on to other ethical topics and discuss them.  She was satisfied with the result of the interview, for she had vindicated her position and spiked Lewis’s last gun.