“As at present constituted, the stage is a dangerous influence.  Some women no doubt are capable of resisting evil even when surrounded by evil.  Even so they set a bad example, for the very knowledge of their virtue tempts others less sure of themselves to engage in the same life, and these weak ones fall.  The virtuous actress is like a false light, which instead of warning vessels from the rocks entices them to their ruin.”

He did not indite the Oberammergau Passion Play, but he could not accept “Parsifal.”  He had heard Catholics aver, while approving of the performance of “Parsifal,” that they would not wish to see the piece performed out of Bayreuth.  But he failed to understand this point of view altogether.  It seemed to assume that a parody of the Mass was unobjectionable at Bayreuth, though not elsewhere.  If there was no parody of the Mass, why should they say that they would not like to see the piece performed elsewhere?  He had read the book and knew the music, and could not understand how a great work of art could contain scenes from real life.  Whether these be religious ceremonies or social functions, the artistic sin is the same.  He asked Evelyn why she was smiling, and she told him that it was because the only two whom she had heard disapprove of “Parsifal” were Monsignor Mostyn and Ulick Dean.  It seemed strange that two such extremes should agree regarding the profligacy of “Parsifal.”  Monsignor was interested for a moment in Ulick Dean’s views, and then he said—­

“But was it with the intention of consulting me, Miss Innes, that you introduced the subject?  I hear that you are going to play the principal part next year—­Kundry.”

“Nothing is settled.  As I told you just now, Monsignor, I am thinking of leaving the stage, and your opinions concerning it do not encourage me to remain an actress.”

“My dear child, you have had the good fortune to be brought up in holy Church.  You have, I hope, constant recourse to the sacraments.  You have confided the difficulties of your stage life to your confessor.  How does he advise you?”

Raising her eyes, Evelyn said in a sinking voice—­

“Even if one has doubts about the whole doctrine of the Church, it is still possible to wish to lead a good life.  Don’t you think so, Monsignor?”

“There are many Protestants who lead excellent lives.  But I have always noticed that when a Catholic begins to question the doctrine of the Church, his or her doubts were preceded by a desire to lead an irregular life.”

And in the silence Evelyn became aware of the afternoon sun shining through the window above their heads, enlivening the dark parlour.  It seemed strange to sit discussing such subjects in the sunshine.  The ray that fell through the window lighted up the priest’s thin face till it seemed like one of the wood carvings she had seen in Germany.  When he resumed the conversation it was to lead her to