Without education a people can never be moral, prosperous, or happy.
Without it, how are they to learn the duties of this life, or those still more important ones that prepare them for a better ?" "You would entrust the conduct and control of it, I presume, sir, to the clergy ?" asked Sir Robert insidiously.
"I would give the priest such control in education as becomes his position, which is not only to educate the youth, but to instruct the man, in all the duties enjoined by religion." The squire now gave a triumphant look at the baronet, and a very kind and gracious one at Reilly.
"Pray, sir," continued the baronet, in his cold, supercilious manner, "from the peculiarity of your views, I feel anxious, if you will pardon me, to ask where you yourself have received your very accomplished education." "Whether my education, sir, has been an accomplished one or otherwise," replied Reilly, "is a point, I apprehend, beyond the reach of any opportunity you ever had to know.

I received my education, sir, such as it is, and if it be not better the fault is my own, in a Jesuit seminary on the Continent." It was now the baronet's time to triumph; and indeed the bitter glancing look he gave at the squire, although it was intended for Reilly, resembled that which one of the more cunning and ferocious beasts of prey makes previous to its death-spring upon its victim.

The old man's countenance instantly fell.

He looked with surprise, not unmingled with sorrow and distrust, at Reilly, a circumstance which did not escape his daughter, who could not, for the life of her, avoid fixing her eyes, lovelier even in the disdain they expressed, with an indignant look at the baronet.
The latter, however, felt resolved to bring his rival still further within the toils he was preparing for him, an object which Reilly's candor very much facilitated.
"Mr.Reilly," said the squire, "I was not prepared to hear--a--a--hem--God bless me, it is very odd, very deplorable, very much to be regretted indeed!" "What is, sir ?" asked Reilly.
"Why, that you should be a Jesuit.

I must confess I was not--ahem!--God bless me.