"It concerns you and every priest and every Catholic in England. It is what I have hinted to you before."
"Then I will hear it."
"It is as if I told it in confession?"
Robin paused.
"You may make it so," he said, "if you choose."
Anthony looked at him an instant. "Well," he said, "I will not make a confession, because there is no use in that now—but—Well, listen!" he said, and sat down.
II
When he ceased, Robin lifted his head. He was as white as a sheet.
"You have been refused absolution before for this?"
"I was refused absolution by two priests; but I was granted it by a third."