Again I saw the smile pass over Mrs. Bunnell's face.
"These Methodists seem to me to be a harmless sort of folks enough—mere visionary enthusiasts," said Mr. Cheriton, helping himself to a piece of plum cake as he spoke.
"They are traitors—rascals who turn the world upside down—Jesuits in disguise, if the truth was known," said Captain Lovelace.
"That, of course, would be enough to condemn them in your eyes," said Mr. Cheriton, carelessly, "your aversion to Jesuits, and those who are governed by them, being so well-known."
Again I saw by the expression of the faces around me, that the words had some hidden meaning.
"Well, well, we shall know how to serve them if they come here," said Lord Bulmer.
"They have been here already—do you not know it?" said Lady Throckmorton. "I myself heard a part of one of Mr. Wesley's sermons, and thought him very eloquent. And my good friend Bunnell here, was altogether won over by him, so that she thinks it a sin to wear so much as a feather or a necklace."
"Is that true, Mrs. Bunnell? Nay, I cannot have that," said Mr. Cheriton, turning to the lady, who had sat quietly behind her mistress. "I look upon you as one of the pillars of my church."
"Mr. Wesley withdraws no one from church," answered Mrs. Bunnell, in her clear, even tones. "On the contrary, it has been objected to him that he makes trouble for the clergy and sextons by bringing so many to the sacrament." *
* See Charles Wesley's "Journal."