'No; but the observances which she genuinely enjoyed deceived herself. Probably at a dull bare service she would have been naughty and uninterested, but then she would have known her religion for what it was worth. I don't say that I see what ought to have been done, if we could begin over again; but I do see that she has found out her unreality in the time of distress, and concludes that the fault is in what we taught her. To use another metaphor, she thinks that because the Cross has been decked with flowers, it has been no Cross at all; but I trust she is learning the way thither.'
'By casting aside the means?' said Clement.
'Because to her they had not been means, but mirages. If I understand rightly, this is her first true awakening.'
'But is it to be a regular case of conversion?'
'I hope so. I pray so.'
'Is she to be left to these women, to learn contempt for the Sacraments and the Church?'
'Are they Churchwomen?'
'After a fashion! I don't believe they hold a single Catholic doctrine.'
'They never say the Creed—eh?'
Clement looked abashed.