“Heartily do I agree; and, indeed, I anticipated what thou wouldst say, though it may be in feeble surmise only.”

“I well believe it,” said she; “for, as I think, thou now bringest to the search eyes quicker in discerning truth; but what I shall say next is no less plain and easy to see.”

“What is it?” said I.

“Why,” said she, “since God is rightly believed to govern all things with the rudder of goodness, and since all things do likewise, as I have taught, haste towards good by the very aim of nature, can it be doubted that His governance is willingly accepted, and that all submit themselves to the sway of the Disposer as conformed and attempered to His rule?”

“Necessarily so,” said I; “no rule would seem happy if it were a yoke imposed on reluctant wills, and not the safekeeping of obedient subjects.”