"Ar'n't you a papist?" he inquired, turning suddenly, and confronting
her.

"I am a Catholic, sir, but--but," she stammered.

"But _what_?" he asked, sharply.

"I do not care so much about going to church as May does," she replied,
lifting her handsome brown eyes to his angry countenance.

"Oh, Helen!" exclaimed May, with an imploring look.

"This is quite my affair," said Helen, with a haughty air.

"You've got more sense than I gave you credit for," said Mr.
Stillinghast, with a low, peculiar laugh. "Don't go any more unless
you choose."

"No, sir."

"Oh, uncle!" cried May, losing all dread of her uncle's displeasure,
and laying her hand on his arm; "you are tampering with her soul!
Helen! Helen, you are trampling under foot your birthright in the
Church of Christ!"

"Fool!" exclaimed Mr. Stillinghast, shaking her off. "Be silent. Go
your ways, but dare not interfere with her."

"I can only pray, sir, for _you_ and for her," said May, after her