I'll tell you what your principle is: Authority, unjust or
just, desirable or undesirable, must be implicitly obeyed. To break a
law, no matter on what provocation, or for whose sake, is to break the
commandment."
"Don't hesitate--say, of God."
"Of an infallible fixed Power. Is that a true definition of your
principle?"
"Yes," said Miltoun, between his teeth, "I think so."
"Exceptions prove the rule."
"Hard cases make bad law."
Courtier smiled: "I knew you were coming out with that. I deny that
they do with this law, which is altogether behind the times. You had the
right to rescue this woman."
"No, Courtier, if we must fight, let us fight on the naked facts. I have
not rescued anyone. I have merely stolen sooner than starve. That is why
I cannot go on pretending to be a pattern. If it were known, I could not
retain my seat an hour; I can't take advantage of an accidental secrecy.
Could you?"
Courtier was silent; and with his eyes Miltoun pressed on him, as though
he would despatch him with that glance.
"I could," said Courtier at last. "When this law, by enforcing spiritual
adultery on those who have come to hate their mates, destroys the
sanctity of the married state--the very sanctity it professes to uphold,
you must expect to have it broken by reasoning men and women without
their feeling shame, or losing self-respect.
Pages:
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314