āA traitor to his country! replied Dante. A traitor, an adulterer! The priests were right to abandon him. The priests were always the true friends of Ireland.
āWere they, faith? said Mr. Casey.
He threw his fist on the table and, frowning angrily, protruded one finger after another.
āDidnāt the bishops of Ireland betray us in the time of the union when Bishop Lanigan presented an address of loyalty to the Marquess Cornwallis? Didnāt the bishops and priests sell the aspirations of their country in 1829 in return for catholic emancipation? Didnāt they denounce the fenian movement from the pulpit and in the confession box? And didnāt they dishonour the ashes of Terence Bellew MacManus?