heard from yet, or I renounce all claims to common sense,"
replied the other. "There is, unquestionably, a brilliant career before
him."

"I would rather, in the meantime," observed Mrs. Purcell, "that he had
continued steadfast to his religion. They tell me that he has become a
Protestant."

"Why, I believe he couldn't gain a scholarship, as you call it, Jack,
without becoming a member of the Established Church."

"No, sir, he could not."

"Well, then," proceeded the proctor, "what great harm? Why, I believe in
my soul, that if it weren't for the bigotry of priests and parsons, who
contrive to set the two churches together by the ears, there would be
found very little difference between them. For my part, I believe a
good, honest Protestant will go to heaven when a scoundrel Papist won't,
and vice versa. The truth is, begad, that it's six of one and half a
dozen of the other; and sorry would I be to let so slight a change as
passing from one religion to the other ever be a bar to the advancement
or good fortune of any one of my children!"

"I would much rather not hear you say so, Mat," replied his wife; "nor
do I ever wish my children to gain either wealth or station in the world
by the sacrifice of the highest principle that can bind the heart--that
of religion."

"Pooh, Nancy, you speak like a woman who never looked beyond the range
of the kitchen and larder, or thought beyond the humdrum prayers of your
Manual. I wish to see my children established; I wish to see them gain
station in the world; I wish to make them the first of their family; and
I do assure you, Nancy, that it is not such a trifle as the difference
between popery on the one hand, and Protestantism on the other, that I'd
suffer--that is, if they will be guided by me--to stand between them and
the solid advantages of good connection, and a proper standing in the
world. I say, then, boys and girls, don't be fools; for, as for my part,
I scarcely think, to tell God's truth, that there's to the value of
sixpence between the two creeds."

"Father," said Mary, laughing, "you're a man of a truly liberal
disposition in these matters."

"But, papa," said Julia, with an arch look, "if there be not the value
of sixpence between the two creeds, perhaps there is more than that
between the two clergy?"

The proctor shook his head and laughed.

"Ah, Judy, my girl, you have me there," he replied; "that goes home
to the proctor, you baggage. Devil a thi