A dazzle of reflected light

I’m now engrossed in another wonder-full (I did that on purpose!) novel called The Dean’s Watch, by Elizabeth Goudge. I’m only about half way, but it’s such an enchanting story thus far. There are descriptions in it that are simply beautiful, and little flares of spiritual commentary, like this one:

She saw that she must turn from herself, and began to see something of the discipline that that entailed, and found too as she struggled that no one and nothing by themselves seemed to have the power to entirely hold her when she turned to them.

It was then that the central figure of the gospels, a historical figure whom she deeply revered and sought to imitate, began at rare intervals to flash out at her like live lightning from their pages, frightening her, turning the grave blueprint into a dazzle of reflected fire. Gradually she learned to see that her fear was not of the lightning itself but what it showed her of the nature of love, for it dazzled behind the stark horror of Calvary. At this point, where so many vowed lovers faint and fail, Mary Montague went doggedly on over another period of years that seemed if possible longer and harder than the former period. At some point along the way, she did not know where because the change came so slowly and gradually, she realised that he had got her and got everything. His love held and illumined every human being for whom she was concerned, and whom she served with the profound compassion which was their need and right, held the Cathedral, the city, every flower and leaf and creature, giving it reality and beauty. She could not take her eyes from the incredible glory of his love. As far as it was possible for a human being in this world she had turned from herself...

I'm so confident that I am an Elizabeth Goudge convert from this book forth that I had given her a tag.

The featured painting is Jesus Washing Peter's Feet by Ford Madox Brown also from the Pre-Raphaelites exhibit.