Page:The Czar, A Tale of the Time of the First Napleon.djvu/417

Rh the Church of which his Czar was the head. Ivan thought that if reform were really needed, he would surely be her leader also. His soul refused, in its tender, passionate loyalty, to pass beyond that of the man he loved. Therein he erred. To each one of us who closely follows the Divine teaching an hour is sure to come when, in the true spirit of Christ's command, we learn to call no man our father upon earth—when we can no longer take truth upon trust, even from the dearest and most venerated of human lips. Moreover, Ivan expected from Alexander what from his position alone, if from no other reason, he was incapable of performing. King Arthur could not ride forth along with his knights in quest of the Holy Grail; the place in which God had put him, the work to which He had called him, rendered it impossible.

For three or four years Ivan and Clémence continued to spend the winters in St. Petersburg, the summers for the most part at Nicolofsky. Here their labours were amply rewarded. From year to year they observed a satisfactory change in the condition of their people; and so great did this appear at last that Ivan said, "I think, my Clémence, they are almost fit for freedom now."

"But, Ivan," said Clémence, "I am not sure that we are fit to give it to them now."

"Why not, m'amie?"

"For whom would we do it, Ivan? For Alexander, or for Christ?"

Ivan was silent; the shaft had struck home. At length he answered, "It is for Christ we must do it, Clémence. And he