“But time can never reconcile a contradiction.”

“The contradiction is only seeming.”

“Did both Confederates and Union troops win the battle of Bull Run?”

“The Confederates defeated the Federals,” said the Doctor; “but the defeat will prove profitable to the defeated.  What I mean by saying both North and South will win, you surely know; it is that the divine purpose, working in all the nations, will find its end and accomplishment, and this purpose is not limited, in the present wicked strife, to either of the combatants.  What the heart of the people of both sections wants will come; what they want they fight for; but it would have come without war, as I was about to tell you last night, when you interrupted me by going to sleep.”

“Yes,” said I, laughing, “you were going to tell me how rebellion could exist and not bring war.”

“And Mr. Berwick made his escape,” said Lydia.

“But you promised to give it to me to-day, Doctor.”

“Give it to me!  That is an expression which I have heard used in two senses,” said the Doctor.

“Well, you were giving it to me last night; now be so good as to give it.”

“Better feel Mr. Berwick’s pulse first, Father.”

“You people are leagued against me,” said he; “and I shall proceed to punish you.”

“By refusing me?”

“No; by giving it to you.  I said, did I not, that rebellion does not necessarily bring war?”

“That is the postulate,” I replied.

“Then, first, what is rebellion?”

“Rebellion,” said I, “rebellion—­rebellion,” seeking a definition, “rebellion is armed hostility, within a nation or state, to the legalized government of the nation or state.”

“I am willing to accept that,” said the Doctor; “now let us see if there have not been cases of rebellion without war.  What do you say of Jeroboam and the ten tribes?”

“I say that there was about to be war, and the Almighty put a stop to it.”

“That is all I pray for,” said the Doctor; “then, what do you say of Monk?”

“What Monk?”

“The general of the commonwealth, who restored Charles the Second.”

“Monk simply decided a dilemma,” said I.  “I don’t count that a rebellion; the people were glad to settle matters.”

“Well, we won’t count Monk; what do you say—­”

“No more, Doctor,” I interrupted; “I admit that rebellion does not bring war when, the other party won’t fight.”

“But it is wrong to fight,” he said.

“Then every rebellion ought to succeed,” said I.