That Ferlie should contemplate lending herself to such a farce acted as the final blister on Cyprian's already irritated spirit. Having divulged her intention, he let fall a few dangerous remarks; quite clever remarks most of them. She only turned on him the straight grey look he was learning to accept as impervious to outside influence.
"I understand that you were going to preserve an open mind on all these subjects with a view to embracing my ideas?"
"How does this affect your ideas, Cyprian?"
"I fail to see what support you can expect from that religious maniac in our affairs."
"I am not requiring either his support or his advice over our affairs."
"In the name of Heaven what are you requiring from him?"
"If you did not require it yourself—in the name of Heaven—you would know."
"Ferlie, will you promise to resist the temptation to confide in him, just because he wears a last century's fashion in angelic uniform?"
His tone roused her to real anger.
"There are things which you are not at liberty to say to me. Every human soul knows of shadowed places within its circle which even the angels dare not enter."