The Wings of the Dove

Do you believe in me? Jesus asks his disciples this question several times. It's an odd question because, if we read the question in context, he is standing right there in front of them when he asks them.

It's a stretch to call this a biblical reference but this sort of religious language shows up in the conversation between Kate Croy and her elder sister Marian. Marian says she doesn't believe in Merton Densher. As with Jesus, this is an odd way to put it as she knows he exsists. The fact of him, as we shall soon see, is something Kate does nothing to conceal.

If I don't believe in Merton Densher, I do at least believe in Mrs. Lowder.

When Marian says something like the above, she doesn't mean anything as simple as believing or not in these persons' existence nor does she mean anything as mercenary in believing that they will or will not deliver. She means what she believes about the thing they are. This religious language of belief applies because it is a matter of faith.