 resumed Buckland, with
emphasis, »is that you have undervalued his intellect. I told you long ago that
a man of Peak's calibre could not possibly be a supporter of dogmas and
churches. No amount of plausible evidence would have made me believe in his
sincerity. Let me beg you to appreciate the simple fact, that no young man of
brains and education is nowadays an honest defender of mediæval Christianity -
the Christianity of your churches. Such fellows may transact with their
conscience, and make a more or less decent business of the clerical career; or,
in rare cases, they may believe that society is served by the maintenance of a
national faith, and accordingly preach with all manner of mental reserves and
symbolical interpretations. These are in reality politicians, not priests. But
Peak belongs to neither class. He is an acute cynic, bent on making the best of
this world, since he believes in no other. How he must have chuckled after every
visit to this house! He despises you, one and all. Believe me, he regards you
with profound contempt.«
    Buckland's obtuseness on the imaginative side spared him the understanding
of his sister's state of mind. Though in theory he recognised that women were
little amenable to reasoning, he took it for granted that a clear demonstration
of Peak's duplicity must at once banish all thought of him from Sidwell's mind.
Therefore he was unsparing in his assaults upon her delusion. It surprised him
when at length Sidwell looked up with flashing, tear-dewed eyes and addressed
him indignantly:
    »In all this there is not one word of truth! You know that in representing
the clergy as a body of ignorant and shallow men you speak out of prejudice. If
you believed what you say, you would be yourself both ignorant and shallow. I
can't trust your judgment of anyone whatever.«
    She paused, but in a moment added the remark which would have come first had
she spoken in the order of her thoughts.
    »It is because the spirit of contempt is so familiar to you that you are so
ready to perceive it in others. I consider that habit of mind worse than
hypocrisy - yes, worse, far worse!«
    Buckland was sorry for the pain he had given. The retort did not affect him,
but he hung his head and looked uncomfortable. His next speech was in a milder
strain:
    »I feel it a duty, Sidwell, to represent this man to you in what I verily
believe to be the true light. To be despised by one who is
