" As regards
the clergy, glimpses of a pretty large cloven hoof kept peeping out
from under the saintly robe of Pryer's conversation, to the effect,
that so long as they were theoretically perfect, practical
peccadilloes- or even peccadaccios, if there is such a word, were of
less importance. He was restless, as though wanting to approach a
subject which he did not quite venture to touch upon, and kept harping
(he did this about every third day) on the wretched lack of definition
concerning the limits of vice and virtue, and the way in which half
the vices wanted regulating rather than prohibiting. He dwelt also
on the advantages of complete unreserve, and hinted that there were
mysteries into which Ernest had not yet been initiated, but which
would enlighten him when he got to know them, as he would be allowed
to do when his friends saw that he was strong enough.
Pryer had often been like this before, but never so nearly, as ft
seemed to Ernest, coming to a point- though what the point was he
could not fully understand. His inquietude was communicating itself to
Ernest, who would probably ere long have come to know as much as Pryer
could tell him, but the conversation was abruptly interrupted by the
appearance of a visitor.
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