said; "and it surpriseth me not at all
that the number of the ungodly outweigheth that of the righteous! Alas!
'why do the heathen rage so furiously together?' Why, indeed! Except
that 'in their hearts they imagine a vain thing!' I pardon you, Sir
Philip, I freely pardon you! And you also, sir," turning gravely to
Duprez, who received his forgiveness with a cheerful and delighted bow.
"You can indeed injure--and you _have_ injured this poor body of
mine--but you cannot touch the _soul_! No, nor can you hinder that
freedom of speech"--here his malignant smile was truly diabolical--"which
is my glory, and which shall forever be uplifted against all manner of
evil-doers, whether they be fair women and witches, or misguided
pagans--"

Again he paused, rather astonished at Errington's scornful laugh.

"You low fellow!" said the baronet. "From Yorkshire, are you? Well, I
happen to know a good many people in that part of the world--and I have
some influence there, too. Now, understand me--I'll have you hounded out
of the place! You shall find it too hot to hold you--that I swear!
Remember! I'm a man of my word! And if you dare to mention the name of
Miss Gueldmar disrespectfully, I'll thrash you within an inch of your
life!"

Mr. Dyceworthy blinked feebly, and drew out his handkerchief.

"I trust, Sir Philip," he said mildly, "you will reconsider your words!
It would ill beseem you to strive to do me harm in the parish were my
ministrations are welcome, as appealing to that portion of the people
who follow the godly Luther. Oh yes,"--and he smiled cheerfully--"you
will reconsider your words. In the meantime--I--I"--he stammered
slightly--"I apologize! I meant naught but good to the maiden--but I
have been misunderstood, as is ever the case with the servants of the
Lord. Let us say no more about it! I forgive!--let us all forgive! I
will even extend my pardon to the pagan yonder--"

But the "pagan" at that moment broke loose from the friendly grasp in
which he had been hitherto held, and strode up to the minister, who
recoiled like a beaten cur from the look of that fine old face flushed
with just indignation, and those clear blue eyes fiery as the flash of
steel.

"Pagan, you call me!" he cried. "I thank the gods for it--I am proud of
the title! I would rather be the veriest savage that ever knelt in
untutored worship to the great forces of Nature, than such a _thing_ as
you--a slinking, unclean animal, crawling coward