"A mere Jesuitical distinction," said Freeborn with emotion.
"Well," said White, who did not seem in great awe of the young M.A., though some years, of course, his senior, "I will take a better instance: who does not know that baptism gives grace? yet there were heathen baptismal rites, which, of course, were devilish."
"I should not be disposed, Mr. White, to grant you so much as you would wish," said Freeborn, "about the virtue of baptism."
"Not about Christian baptism?" asked White.
"It is easy," answered Freeborn, "to mistake the sign for the thing signified."
"Not about Catholic baptism?" repeated White.
"Catholic baptism is a mere deceit and delusion," retorted Mr. Freeborn.
"Oh, my dear Freeborn," interposed Bateman, "now you are going too far; you are indeed."
"Catholic, Catholic—I don't know what you mean," said Freeborn.
"I mean," said White, "the baptism of the one Catholic Church of which the Creed speaks: it's quite intelligible."