but I can't help it. And there is far worse to come: far, far worse. I am very sorry, but what am I to do? Abandon my project and take another theme? Impossible! This tale is in me and has got to come out if it will. One does not abandon one's themes, though it is a fact that now and then they abandon one—and what a relief that is! No, even if I drive you into the arms of a rival my tale must forth.
The Archdeacon, then, having done this dreadful thing, found that two courses were open to him: (1) to suppress by fire the bright creature of his fancy, or (2) to give it to the world. The first alternative, for reasons which I shall tell you in a moment, was unthinkable. The second, however, seemed to be impossible; for not without exciting a horrible scandal, not without furnishing to the enemy cause most joyously to blaspheme, might the
