Part 40: Recover

James attended his father at the christening out of obligation rather than gratitude or enthusiasm. After the revelation of his poor judgement, it was incredible that Papa or a bishop, let alone God himself, might one day welcome such a fool's participation in the rites of the church. Love might blind, but could not excuse his vainglorious association with and defense of Thorpe. It spoke ill of his character that James overlooked what should have been plain to see was wrong.

The parents and godparents smiled at the clergyman and his son as they approached. The babe herself was wide awake and fussy; her wails made the little boy accompanying the party look ready to cry himself.

Not so many years ago James could recall feeling as nervous at his own sisters' baptisms, and encouraging his brothers to face similar tests of fortitude. He found comfort in providing the same to another.

Title from Chapter 25 of Northanger Abbey: “My own disappointment and loss in her is very great; but, as for poor James, I suppose he will hardly ever recover it.”