As to the future,
he neither feared much nor hoped much; but was, unconsciously,
supported by a general trust in the goodness and the greatness of the
God who had made him what he was. "It is nearly done now, Marie,"
he said to Madame Goesler one evening. She only pressed his hand in
answer. His condition was too well understood between them to allow
of her speaking to him of any possible recovery. "It has been a great
comfort to me that I have known you," he said.
"Oh no!"
"A great comfort;--only I wish it had been sooner. I could have
talked to you about things which I never did talk of to any one. I
wonder why I should have been a duke, and another man a servant."
"God Almighty ordained such difference."
"I'm afraid I have not done it well;--but I have tried; indeed I have
tried." Then she told him he had ever lived as a great nobleman ought
to live. And, after a fashion, she herself believed what she was
saying. Nevertheless, her nature was much nobler than his; and she
knew that no man should dare to live idly as the Duke had lived.
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