"That is more than
any of us can do nowadays! Every liberty is afforded them to learn,-
-and if they still remain barbarous it is because they elect to be
so. But OUR duty is to look after the ignorant more than the
cultured! Quite true it is that the Pope lost a magnificent
opportunity in the Dreyfus affair,--if he had spoken in favour of
mercy and justice he would have won thousands of followers; being
silent he has lost thousands. But this should be a great
satisfaction to you, Mr. Leigh! For if the Holy Father had given an
example to the Catholic clergy to act in the true Christian spirit
towards Dreyfus, the Conversion of England might have been so
grafted on enthusiastic impulse as to be a much nearer possibility
than it is now!"
Aubrey was silent.
"Now, Mr. Leigh, I think you have gained sufficient insight into my
views to judge me with perhaps greater favour than you were inclined
to do at the beginning of our interview," continued Gherardi, "I
assure you that I shall watch your career with the greatest
interest! You have embarked in a most hopeless cause,--you will try
to help the helpless, and as soon as they are rescued out of
trouble, they will turn and rend you,--you will try to teach them
the inner mysteries of God's working, and they will say you are
possessed of a devil! You will endeavour to upset shams and
hypocrisies, and the men of your press will write you down and say
you are seeking advertisement and notoriety for yourself.
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