And then repeated his words: "I now make bold to ask you, Mr.Robarts, whether you are doing your best to lead such a life as may become a parish clergyman among his parishioners ?" And again he paused for an answer.
"There are but few of us," said Mark, in a low tone, "who could safely answer that question in the affirmative." "But are there many, think you, among us who would find the question so unanswerable as yourself?
And even were there many, would you, young, enterprising, and talented as you are, be content to be numbered among them?
Are you satisfied to be a castaway after you have taken upon yourself Christ's armour?
If you will say so, I am mistaken in you, and will go my way." There was again a pause, and then he went on.

"Speak to me, my brother, and open your heart, if it be possible." And rising from his chair, he walked across the room, and laid his hand tenderly on Mark's shoulder.

Mark had been sitting lounging in his chair, and had at first, for a moment only, thought to brazen it out.

But all idea of brazening had now left him.

He had raised himself from his comfortable ease, and was leaning forward with his elbow on the table; but now, when he heard these words, he allowed his head to sink upon his arms, and he buried his face between his hands.
"It is a terrible falling off," continued Crawley: "terrible in the fall, but doubly terrible through that difficulty of returning.