He had pondered on the matter continually since his father had spoken to him on Saint Stephen's night; and at one time it seemed that his father was acting the part of a traitor and at another of a philosopher.

If it were indeed true, after all, that all men were turning Protestant, and that there was not so much difference between the two religions, then it would be the act of a wise man to turn Protestant too, if only for a while.

And on the other hand his pride of birth and his education by his mother and his practice ever since drew him hard the other way.

He was in a strait between the two.

He did not know what to think, and he feared what Marjorie might think.
It was this, then, that had held him silent.