erious, sir," she said; "it is your church that is guilty of
misinterpretation of God's word, and, in addition, denies its 'free use'
to the people."

"I hope my church, miss, will never allow her children to trifle with
God's holy word as you have now been guilty of," said the priest.

"What's this? At theology again, Amanda? I think you have met your match
at last, daughter," said Mr. Prying. "This young lady has taken to the
study of Scripture and theology," continued he; "she and the several
ministers who visit here are ever at controversy, and she seldom comes
off second best, I tell you."

"Don't you speak so, father," she said; "no, I don't, neither. I have
been arguing with this gentleman about celibacy, and we can't agree
about the interpretation of a text; that's all. But this is the
birthright of every American citizen, the right to differ; the right to
read the word of God, and to interpret it each for himself, without let
or hinderance."

"I have no great desire, nor does it at all accord with my notions of
propriety, I assure you," said the priest, "to enter into controversial
disputations around the fireside, in a family whose hospitality I am
enjoying, and especially when a lady is my antagonist."

"O you need not be particular," said this female bore; "we are used to
such discussions. I had a few questions to put to you as a Catholic
priest, of which I had taken notes, and my object is information on
those points, as much as the refutation of your church doctrines."

"Any information you require I am ready to afford, if in my power; but I
have a horror--I suppose from the invariable habit of my past life--of
introducing either political or religious discussions into the fireside
family circle."

"We are always disputing here," she said. "I am a Presbyterian, Cassius
a Universalist, Wesley a Methodist, and Cyrus has taken to the spiritual
rapping, and is a 'medium.' So you see controversy is no novelty here."

"In Europe, miss," said the priest, "we never introduce----"

"In Europe," she said, interrupting Father Ugo, "there is nothing but
tyranny, despotism, poverty, and superstition. We despise the customs of
Europe, sir. I am told," she added, after a glance at her notes, "that
priests in general, and you in particular, forbid Catholics to attend
the meetings, or join in the prayers or worship, of other denominations.
Is this true, or how can you reconcile it with liberty or religion?"

"Ce