The Doctor gained his point.  The muffin was upon his own plate, while Lady Juliana directed her angry look towards her daughter.

“Who talks of going to church?” demanded she.

Mary gently expressed her wish to be permitted to attend divine service.

“I won’t permit it.  I don’t approve of girls going about by themselves.  It is vastly improper, and I won’t hear of it.”

“It is the only place I shall ask to go to,” said Mary timidly; “but I have always been accustomed to attend church, and—–­”

“That is a sufficient reason for my choosing that you should not attend it here.  I won’t suffer a Methodist in the house.”

“I assure you the Methodists are gaining ground very fast,” said the Doctor, with his mouth full.  ’Pon my soul, I think it’s very alarming!”

“Pray, what is so alarming in the apprehension? asked Lady Emily.

“What is so alarming!  ’Pon my honour, Lady Emily, I’m astonished to hear you ask such a question!”—­muttering to himself, “zealots—­fanatics—­ enthusiasts—­bedlamites!  I’m sure everybody knows what Methodists are!”

“There has been quite enough said upon the subject,” said Lady Juliana.

“There are plenty of sermons in the house, Miss Mary,” continued the Doctor, who, like many other people, thought he was always doing a meritorious action when he could dissuade anybody from going to church.  “I saw a volume somewhere not long ago; and at any rate there’s the Spectator, if you want Sunday’s reading—­some of the papers there are as good as any sermon you’ll get from Dr. Barlow.”

Mary, with fear and hesitation, made another attempt to overcome her mother’s prejudice, but in vain.

“I desire I may hear no more about it!” cried she, raising her voice.  “The clergyman is a most improper person.  I won’t suffer any of my family to attend his church; and therefore, once for all, I won’t hear another syllable on the subject.”

This was said in a tone and manner not to be disputed, and Mary felt her resolution give way before the displeasure of her mother.  A contest of duties was new to her, and she could not all at once resolve upon fulfilling one duty at the expense of another.  “Besides,” thought she, “my mother thinks she is in the right.  Perhaps, by degrees, I may bring her to think otherwise; and it is surely safer to try to conciliate than to determine to oppose.”

But another Sabbath came, and Mary found she had made no progress in obtaining the desired permission.  She therefore began seriously to commune with her own heart as to the course she ought to pursue.