'Voting for party is a crime very often,' said Geraldine. 'It is one of the many things as to which I have never made up my mind. Ought one to sacrifice the country to what one believes a bad measure for the sheer sake of keeping one's party in office? Surely not.'
'You solve your doubts by having no party, and never going into the Lords.'
'Are you certain of that?' said his sister. 'I think you place voting for party on too low a plane. If we believe, generally, that one party--say it is Conservative, say it is Liberal--is necessary to the preservation or the progress of the nation, then I think we are bound to do our best to keep it at the helm of the vessel of the nation, even if in certain minor matters we are not always in accord with the course it takes.'
'Admirably reasoned; but are not politicians always as great sophists as priests?'
'Sophists! always that cruel charge,' said a mellow and manly voice, as there entered the dining-room a person of handsome and stately presence, in a picturesque costume, with knee breeches and buckled shoes, whom the servant announced as Monsignore Melville. He was welcomed by all with cordiality and delight, and the Princess bade him draw his chair beside her, though he alleged that he had breakfasted.
'I came to see if you had arrived,' he said, as he seated himself. 'Princess, I hope La Jacquemerille is fortunate enough to please you?'
'I have been abusing it; it is a very ridiculous house, but it grows upon one; and if you will come often enough, Monsignore---- No, I never make compliments. You know you are a delightful companion, and of how many people can one say that?'
'You are too enchantingly kind. But all are not so kind. Lord Geraldine was accusing priests of sophism. What was he saying?'
'He was saying that politicians are the sophists, and Wilkes the head of them.'
'Because I defended "voting straight,"' said Lady Brancepeth. 'Is it not the very root and essence of English constitutional life? Monsignore Melville, who is an Englishman, will, I am sure, say so.'
'To serve the Church is only a superior kind of voting with party,' said Geraldine.
'Do not be profane, Ralph,' said his sister. 'It does not suit you. You were created with a reverential nature, and you have endeavoured to ruin it, as most men always do try to destroy what is best in them. Monsignore, answer me, is it not the highest morality to vote straight?'