'
'Let me know; I do not like suspense,' said Jane, sharply.
'I think it right to tell you, Jane, that neither your father nor I
thought it would be desirable for you to be confirmed at this time.'
'Do you really mean it?' said Jane.
'Look back on the past year, and say if you sincerely think you are
fit for confirmation.'
'As to that,' said Jane, 'the best people are always saying that they
are not fit for these things.'
'None can call themselves worthy of them; but I think the conscience
of some would bear them witness that they had profited so far by
their present means of grace as to give grounds for hoping that they
would derive benefit from further assistance.'
'Well, I suppose I must be very bad, since you see it,' said Jane, in
a manner rather more subdued; 'but I did not think myself worse than
other people.'
'Is a Christian called, only to be no worse than others?'
'Oh no! I see, I mean--pray tell me my great fault. Pertness, I
suppose--love of gossip?'
'There must be a deeper root of evil, of which these are but the
visible effects, Jane.'
'What do you mean, Robert?' said Jane, now seeming really impressed.
'I think, Jane, that the greatest and most dangerous fault of your
character is want of reverence.
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