images, candles,
and all the trinkets used in the pagan ceremonial which has so
quenched our spirituality, and to seek the undivided garment of the
Christ."

"Indeed!" murmured Lafelle.

"The world to-day, Monsignor, stands at the door of a new era, an era
which promises a grander concept of God and religion, the tie which
binds all to Him, than has ever before been known. We are thinking. We
are pondering. We are delving, studying, reflecting. And we are at
last beginning to work with true scientific precision and system. As
in chemistry, mathematics, and the physical sciences, so in matters
religious, we are beginning to _prove_ our working hypotheses. And so
a new spiritual enlightenment is come. People are awaking to a dim
perception of the meaning of spiritual life, as exemplified in Jesus
Christ. And they are vaguely beginning to see that it is possible to
every one. The abandonment of superstition, religious and other, has
resulted in such a sudden expansion of the human mind that the most
marvelous material progress the world has ever witnessed has come
swiftly upon us, and we live more intensely in a single hour to-day
than our fathers lived in weeks before us. Oh, yes, we are already
growing tired of materiality. The world is not yet satisfied. We are
not happy. But, Monsignor, let not the Church boast itself that the
acceptance of her mediaeval dogmas will meet the world's great need.
That need will be met, I think, only as we more and more clearly
perceive the tremendous import of the mission of Jesus, and learn how
to grasp and apply the marvelous Christ-principle which he used and
told us we should likewise employ to work out our salvation."

During Father Waite's earnest talk Lafelle sat with his eyes fixed
upon Carmen. When the ex-priest concluded, the churchman ignored him
and vouchsafed no reply.

"Well, Monsignor?" said the girl, after waiting some moments in
expectation.

Lafelle smiled paternally. Then, nodding his shapely head, he said in
a pleading tone:

"Have I no champion here? Would you, too, suddenly abolish the Church,
Catholic and Protestant alike? Why, my dear child, with your
ideals--which no one appreciates more highly than I--do you continue
to persecute me so cruelly? Can not you, too, sense the unsoundness of
the views just now so eloquently voiced?"

"That is cant, Monsignor! You speak wholly without authority or proof,
as is your wont."

The man winced slightly. "Well,"