Glamorous Powers Part II

Francis has taken on the role of mentor to Jon.. and tells him that he was sure that he would fall in love - albeit he had led a celibate life for many years and seemed fulfilled by it. Jon feels however that he cannot propose to Anne unless he has some kind of job and an income. He manages to get a position as clergyman of the Starbridge Parish where Anne lives as the previous clergyman had joined the army. However being used to worshipping in a monastery he finds parish life difficult. People disagree with him, especially with his Anglo Catholic views.. and he finds that many of the parish ladies seem to take a fancy to him and pester him with their innocent but tiresome attentions. Francis not being mystic minded, finds Jon's claims to have visions somewhat off putting.. and he thinks that Jon should have looked for a job teaching, rather than becoming a parish priest. However Jon dislikes the idea of teaching, since his own father, with whom he had a difficult relationship was a teacher. There is a theological college in Starbridge but Jon shies away from it. He believes that he has a gift for healing, but he knows that Cuthbert Darcy and Francis Ingram feel that healing is a very difficult calling and that the healer needs to be very humble and Jon is a proud and arrogant man by nature. Jon finds that his children are not too happy with the idea of his getting married again. Ruth resents him marrying an upper class woman. But he and Anne marry and for a short time they are happy enough. But Anne begins to resent Jon's dislike of socialising and she finds that his Anglo Catholic views are causing dissension in the parish, of which she is an active member. She becomes pregnant and Jon feels very ambivalent, as he knows he was not a good father to his children, and he's not sure if he can do better now. He has a vision of a child, called Nicholas, and wonders if this is a sign from God that he will have a son who will make him happy. Accidentally he gets involved in a healing situation again... He helps a cleaning lady in the church who has a bad back.. and he begins to hold healing services. This gives his ego a boost but again it causes dissension. He is under a lot of strain and then collapses at a healing service in front of everyone, and in the ensuing crush to get out, Anne falls and starts in premature labour.