He defended himself desperately against his weakness.
'I am not choosing the pleasanter way.

It would be easier for me to give up the fight for Ireland, to desert the beaten side, to forget the lost cause.' He turned to Canon Beecher, speaking almost fiercely: 'Do you think it is a small thing for me to surrender your friendship, and perhaps--perhaps to lose Marion?
Is there not _some_ of the nobility of sacrifice in refusing to listen to you ?' 'I cannot argue with you.

No doubt you are cleverer than I am.

But I _know_ this--God is love, and only he who dwelleth in love dwelleth in God.' 'But I do love: I love Ireland.' 'Ah yes; but He says, "Love your enemies."' 'Then,' said Hyacinth, 'I will not have Him for my God.' Hardly had he spoken than he started and grew suddenly cold.

It was no doubt some trick of memory, but he believed that he heard very faintly from far off a remembered voice: 'Will you be sure to know the good side from the bad, the Captain from the enemy.' They were the last words his father had said to him.