"You may lay it down as a general principle that a man who is an infidel is not to be trusted."
"For what reason?"
"Because he has no moral standard to hold him in check. You believe in the Bible and in the Commandments and in the teachings of the Church, and you live in obedience to what you believe. But he believes none of these things. He is bound by no commandment except as a matter of policy."
"May not a man have a moral instinct which he follows? Are all the unbelievers, all the doubters, all the sceptics, all the infidels—or whatever name you like to call them—are they all bad men?"
"I do not say that, Madeline. Besides, policy often holds them in check."
"And what holds you in check, Gervase? Is it your passionate attachment to the right, or the fear of being found out?"
"I don't think that is quite a fair question," he said, uneasily. "I don't pretend to be a saint, though I do try to live like a Christian gentleman."
"And you think Mr. Sterne does not?"
"I have no wish to say all I think, or even to hint at what I know. A word to the wise is sufficient. I am sure you will be on your guard in the future."