Page:The silent prince - a story of the Netherlands (IA cu31924008716957).pdf/235

 from those of His holy apostles: ‘To the pure all things are pure.’ ‘Love one another.’ ‘A bishop shall be the husband of one wife.’ You look astonished, my sweet Katharine, at such astounding words; but I tell you this Church of ours sanctions marriage amongst the priesthood, secretly, to be sure, but it makes such a state possible by special dispensations, and that without violating conscience. You must have known, Katharine, that I loved you. Perhaps I have obeyed the Master's command too literally, in your case, but the fact remains unaltered—I love you. The other fact remains unaltered, that Christ sanctioned the marriage of priests. When He selected His apostles, He made choice of men who had wives. ‘Is not Peter’s wife made a personage of special note by an allusion to her in the Sacred Word? And Peter is the rock upon which our Church is built, and to whom she looked in those days as to her spiritual head. Marriage was not forbidden priests until the thirteenth century, and this command is an arbitrary one, which can easily be evaded. When I receive that cardinal’s hat which the Pope has promised me, I can also procure a special dispensation which will permit our union.”

“Stop!” cried Katharine, in a voice of indignation, her cheeks crimson with wrath and shame. “Say not another word at your peril. Is this your professed holy life, this life which you admit is a