And whilst all she said was courteous, it was vehement as any defense of the faith is likely to be; he felt, besides, that he had spoken with rather more of the _ex cathedra_ tone than was proper.

A young man of opinions generally finds it so much easier to impress people with his tone than with his arguments! But he consoled himself with the reflection that the _average_ woman--that word average was a balm for every wound--that the average woman is always tied to her religion, and intolerant of any doubts.

He was pleased to think that Helen Minorkey was not intolerant.

Of that he felt sure.

He did not carry the analysis any farther, however; he did not ask why Helen was not intolerant, nor ask whether even intolerance may not sometimes be more tolerable than indifference.