"Of course—he was furious?"
"What right has he to be furious?" said Newbury, quietly. "His principles may be what he pleases. But he must allow us ours. This is a free country."
A certain haughtiness behind the gentle manner was very perceptible. Marcia kindled for her brother.
"I suppose Corry would say, if the Church ruled us—as you wish—England wouldn't be free!"
"That's his view. We have ours. No doubt he has the present majority with him. But why attack us personally—call us names—because of what we believe?"
He spoke with vivacity, with wounded feeling. Marcia melted.
"But every one knows," she murmured, "that Corry is mad—quite mad."
And suddenly, impulsively, she put out her hand.
"Don't blame us!"
He took the hand in both his own, bent over and kissed it.