ity of a Wentworth being guilty. It did not strike him as a
conflict between belief and non-belief; but on the question of a man
abandoning his post, whatever it might be, the head of the house held
strong views.

"I agree it's impossible; but it looks as if it were true," said the
Curate. "I don't understand it any more than you do; but I am afraid
we shall have to address ourselves to the reality all the same. Gerald
has made up his mind that the Church of Rome is the only true Church,
and therefore he is in a false position in the Church of England: he
can't remain a priest of the Anglican communion with such views, any
more than a man could fight against his country, or in a wrong
quarrel--"

"But, good heavens, sir!" said the Squire, interrupting him, "is it a
time to inquire into the quarrel when you're on the ground? Will you
tell me, sir, that my son Charley should have gone into the question
between Russia and England when he was before Sebastopol--and
deserted," said Mr Wentworth, with a snort of infinite scorn, "if he
found the Czar had right on his side? God bless my soul! that's
striking at the root of everything. As for the Church of Rome, it's
Antichrist--why, every child in the village school could tell you
that; and if Gerald entertains any such absurd ideas, the thing for
him to do is to read up all that's been written on the subject, and
get rid of his doubts as soon as possible. The short and the long of
it is," said the troubled Squire, who found it much the easiest way to
be angry, "that you ask me to believe that your brother Gerald is a
fool and a coward; and I won't believe it, Frank, if you should preach
to me for a year."

"And for my part, I would stake my life on his wisdom and his
courage," said the Curate, with a little heat; "but that is not the
question--he believes that truth and honour require him to leave his
post. There is something more involved which we might yet prevent. I
have been trying, but Louisa interrupted me--I don't know if you
realise fully what he intends. Gerald cannot cease to be a priest--he
will become a Catholic priest when he ceases to be Rector of
Wentworth--and that implies--"

"God bless my soul!" cried the bewildered Squire--he was silent for a
long time after he had uttered that benediction. He took out Gerald's
letter and read it over while the two walked on in silence under the
lime-trees, and the paper shook in his hands, notwithstanding all his
stea