And as regards Father Francis's personal responsibility, he could not help feeling that the other had allowed ceremonial to play too great a part in his religion, and prayer too little.

In him the external had absorbed the internal.
So he did not allow his sympathy to show itself in his bright eyes.
"You think it my fault, of course," said the other sharply.
"My dear father," said Percy, motionless in his chair, "I know it is your fault.

Listen to me.

You say Christianity is absurd and impossible.
Now, you know, it cannot be that! It may be untrue--I am not speaking of that now, even though I am perfectly certain that it is absolutely true--but it cannot be absurd so long as educated and virtuous people continue to hold it.

To say that it is absurd is simple pride; it is to dismiss all who believe in it as not merely mistaken, but unintelligent as well---" "Very well, then," interrupted the other; "then suppose I withdraw that, and simply say that I do not believe it to be true." "You do not withdraw it," continued Percy serenely; "you still really believe it to be absurd: you have told me so a dozen times.