I to mine. But--and here is the great point--the
opinion which Holy Church has held throughout the ages regarding those
who do not accept her dogmas is that they are damned, that they are
outcasts of heaven, that they merit the stake and rack. The Church's
hatred of heretics has been deadly. Her thought concerning them has
not been that of love, such as Jesus sent out to all who did not
agree with him, but deadly, suggestive hatred. Now our Constitution
does not provide for tolerance of hate and murder-thoughts, which enter
the minds of the unsuspecting and work destruction there in the form
of disease, disaster, and death. That is what we object to in you,
Monsignor. You murder your opponents with your poisonous thoughts.
And toward such thoughts we have a right to be very intolerant, even to
the point of destroying them in human mentalities. Again I say, I war
not against people, but against the murderous carnal thought of the
human mind!"

Monsignor had fallen back before the girl's strong words. His face
had grown black, and his hands were working convulsively.

"Monsignor," continued Carmen in a low, steady voice, "you have
threatened me with something which you apparently hold over me. You
are very like the people of Galilee: if you can not refute by reason,
you would circumvent by law, by the Constitution, by Congress. That
failing, you would destroy. Instead of threatening us with the flames
of hell for not being good, why do you not show us by the great
example of Jesus' love how to be so? Are you manifesting love now--or
the carnal mind? I judge your Church by such as manifest it to me.
How, then, shall I judge it by you to-day?"

He rose slowly and took her by the hand. "I beg your pardon," he said
in a strange, unnatural voice. "I was hasty. As you see, I am zealous.
Naturally, I resent misjudgment. And I assure you that you quite
misunderstand me, and the Church which I represent. But--I may come
again?"

"Surely, Monsignor," returned the girl heartily. "A debate such as
this is stimulating, don't you think so?"

He bowed and turned to go. Just then the Beaubien appeared.

"Ah, Monsignor," she said lightly, as she stepped into the room. "You
are exclusive. Why have you avoided me since your return to America?"

"Madam," replied Lafelle, in some confusion, "no one regrets more than
I the press of business which necessitated it. But your little friend
has told me I may return."

"Always welcome, Mo