Page:The council of seven.djvu/276

 allowed himself to be taken by surprise. With sharp annoyance he grew aware that the business was actually under way before he had even begun to attempt to define his own position.

It was not a moment for hesitation. At the risk of discourtesy Endor sprang to his feet. "I am truly sorry to interrupt," he said to Lien Weng, "but before these proceedings are carried a step farther, please allow me to say this. I have come here, not to transact business, but to sever my connection with this Society."

The speech, brief as it was, had the effect of a thunderbolt. Every face around the table was anxious, startled, incredulous. Lien Weng, alone, kept a perfect impassiveness. He lifted his right hand delicately and without a glance at the others, he said in his sweet, cooing voice, "Sir, that is impossible. Believe me, sir, it is quite—quite—quite impossible."

Endor had foreseen even this blunt and final non possumus. It did not deter him, therefore, from stating fully his attitude. He admitted frankly that he had entered into his vows at a time of mental and moral overthrow; but now that his mind was established once more on the plane of reason, he was not prepared to go on with a thing that had lost the sanction of his conscience.

"I fear you cannot be allowed to withdraw, sir," said Lien Weng, softly. "Your vows were made on the clear understanding that on no grounds conceivable must they ever be broken. Once a member of the