"
"But suppose there _was_ something in the clause to which I very
strongly objected, something of which my conscience disapproved,
something that was repugnant to my whole moral nature; and suppose I
was forced by the law to fulfil it nevertheless, should you say that
was a moral contract? Should you not say that in acting against my
conscience I acted immorally?"
We all fell into the trap, and looked an encouraging assent.
"And in that case," she continued, "I suppose my duty would be to evade
the law, and act on my conscience?"
The Bishop looked puzzled.
"I should only be doing what the early martyrs had to do," she added.
"That is true," he rejoined, with evident relief.
"But I don't see what particular contract you are thinking of," said
the lawyer.
"The marriage contract," Ideala answered, calmly.
This announcement created a sensation.
The lawyer laughed: the Bishop looked grave.
"Oh, but you cannot describe marriage in that way," he declared, with
emphasis.
"Humph!" the lawyer observed, meditatively. "I am afraid I must beg to
differ from your Lordship.
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