The Third took his elbow off the mantelpiece, and drawing up one of the big leather arm-chairs, lowered himself into it.
“My son,” he said, “the past is past. Let us consider the future. Have you any plans ?”
“None,” said Lucas. “Do with me what you will.”
“But I have many plans, my son, and since you have put yourself into my hands, I will take you at your word. You must take up your work again.”
Lucas did not answer.
The Third continued : “As you know, I have been out of Europe for a good many years now. Too many, I am afraid. The Fraternity sank to its embers till you, my son, tried to rekindle it.”
Lucas smiled. “It certainly showed signs of life in places,” he said.
“Yes, my son,” said the Third, “you were right, it needed a fresh impulse, but you were not able to do it single-handed. Three are required for that, in order to work the sacred triangle. A positive force, a negative force, and the reconciler between them. You, my son, are a positive force.”
“I used to be a positive force,” said Lucas, “but I should not say I could be now.”
“There you are wrong,” said the Third. “Being made negative on the physical plane, you have become positive on the Inner Planes, the planes whereon we shall work ; and Veronica, whom your helplessness on the physical plane will cause to become positive, will again be your fitting complement for Inner Plane work.”
“What has it got to do with Veronica ?” said Lucas. “She cannot have anything to do with the Fraternity, they don't initiate women.”
“That is exactly where the trouble has originated,” replied the Third. “They must have women in the Fraternity ; it has been the greatest mistake to exclude them. It was only in mediaeval times it was done. They must have the two forces in the Lodge. Strength and beauty, justice and mercy. For although unbalanced mercy is but weakness, unbalanced justice is cruelty and oppression. I propose to initiate Veronica ; and that you and I and she, silently, behind the Fraternity, should bring through the balanced forces that will regenerate it. Are you willing for that, Veronica ?”
“I am ready for whatever is right,” she answered.
“Then,” said the Third, turning to Lucas, “I propose that you and Veronica should marry.”
Lucas threw up his head like a startled horse, then checked himself.
“What has Veronica got to say to that ?” he asked in very level tones.
“She gave her consent before we started on this operation.”
Lucas's arm tightened round her.
“Is that so, Veronica ?” he whispered.
For answer she crept closer to him, and forgetful of the onlookers, he hid his face in her hair.
After a moment or two he raised it.
“There is one other person I should like to see,” he said, “A man who was very good to me in the old days. Dr. Latimer.”
“I am here, Justin,” said the old man.
Lucas put out his hand and the trembling old fingers were placed in it, and for a long time he sat silent, his arm round Veronica and his hand in the old man's.
When at length he raised his face it had a very different expression.
“This is a very big thing we are on,” he said.
“Yes, my son,” said the Third, “it is. Much bigger than you realize at present.”
“I know that,” said Lucas and lapsed into thought again. Then, “What have I done to deserve such a chance ?” he said.
“You have realized your mistake and paid for it without murmuring,” replied the man who was known to them as the Third. “You have turned again and retraced your steps over the burning coals without flinching. You have passed your tests, my son, you are back on the Path, and the gates stand open before you. Enter ye in.”
Demon Lover Page 23
