was chiefly about the sayings and doings of people
whom she did not know, and the doings of some clergyman in a neighboring
town seemed to receive severe censure, for Mr. Fane-Smith stigmatized
him as "A most dangerous man, a Pelagian in disguise." However, he
seemed to be fond of labeling people with the names of old heresies,
for, presently, when Rose said something about Mr. Farrant, her father
replied contemptuously:

Every one knows, my dear, that Mr. Farrant holds unorthodox views. Why,
a few years ago he was an atheist, and now he's a mere Photinian.

As no one but Mr. Fane-Smith had the faintest idea what a "Photinian"
meant, the accusation could neither be understood nor refuted. Mrs.
Fane-Smith looked very uncomfortable, fearing that her niece might feel
hurt at the tone in which "He was an atheist," had been spoken; and
indeed Erica's color did rise.

"Is that Mr. Farrant the member?" she asked.

"Yes," replied her aunt, apprehensively. "Do you know him?"

"Not personally, but I shall always honor him for the splendid speech he
made last year on religious toleration," said Erica.

Mr. Fane-Smith raised his eyebrows for the same speech had made him most
indignant. However, he began to realize that, before Erica could become
a patient recipient of his opinions, like his wife and daughter, he must
root out the false ideas which evidently still clung to her.

"Mr. Farrant is no doubt a reformed character now," he admitted. "But he
is far from orthodox; far from orthodox! At one time I am told that
he was one of the wildest young fellows in the neighborhood, no decent
person would speak to him, and though no doubt he means well, yet I
could never have confidence in such a man."

"I have heard a good deal about him from my friends the Osmonds," said
Erica, stimulated as usual to side with the abused. "Mr. Osmond thinks
him the finest character he ever knew."

"Is that the clergyman you told me of?" interposed Mrs. Fane-Smith,
anxious to turn the conversation.

But her husband threw in a question, too.

"What, Charles Osmond, do you mean the author of 'Essays on Modern
Christianity?"

"Yes," replied Erica.

"I don't know that he is much more orthodox than Mr. Farrant," said Mr.
Fane-Smith; "I consider that he has Noetian tendencies."

Erica's color rose and her eyes flashed.

"I do not know whether he is what is called orthodox or not," she said;
"but I do know that he is the most Christ-like man