"He may not really believe in all that he put into that book." "Then there is no excuse for his publishing it," said Phyllis promptly.
"But if he doesn't actually hold the views which he has formulated in that book, you cannot consistently reject him on the plea that he is not quite--well, not quite what you and I call orthodox." This contention was too plain to be combated by the girl.

She did not for a moment see her way out of the amazing logic of the lady.

Quite a minute had passed before she said: "If he propounds such views without having a firm conviction that they are true, he has acted a contemptible part, Lady Earlscourt.

I think far too highly of him to entertain for a single moment the idea that he is not sincere." "But if you believe that he is sincere, why should you say that you will not marry him ?" "I would not marry an atheist, however sincere he might be." "An atheist! But Mr.Holland is not an atheist; on the contrary, he actually believes that there are two Gods; one worshiped of the Jews long ago, the other by us nowadays.

An atheist! Oh, no!" "I'm afraid that I can't explain to you, dear Lady Earlscourt." Once more Phyllis shook her head with some degree of sadness.