224 ARDENMOHR. 



services which, for the time being at least, make all 

 of kin. " Don't you agree, Abbott ? " he said. 



" Of course, it begets better mutual feelings, and a 

 confidence sometimes wanting when one's surround- 

 ings look more heathenish or indifferent." 



" Eight, most virtuous Abbott ; for if there be 

 enough and to spare of hypocrisy in the world, yet 

 I hardly think there is much DELIBERATE sham. Most 

 men I believe to be genuine in such matters accord- 

 ing to their lights. Why, the Pharisees even were 

 only in a certain sense hypocrites ; they believed in 

 their views and in themselves, thanking God for not 

 being as other men." 



" Yes," the Major remarked, " but that same 

 sincerity may be pleaded for rank heathens and for 

 speculative infidels." 



"No doubt," said Ward, "and I would humbly 

 consider that the responsibility lies not so much in 

 the mere belief, as how it comes about ; if from 

 hatred of restraint, from indolence, or from indiffer- 

 ence. And, perhaps, what carries the greatest 

 responsibility is the PROMULGATING of uncertain 

 and mischievous doctrines on mere speculative 

 opinion." 



"Are you quite just, Hope, to Eenan, Spencer, and 



