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egorical Imperative. You have thrown aside a creed, but you
have preserved the ethic which was based upon it. To all
intents you are a Christian still, and if there is a God in
Heaven you will undoubtedly receive your reward. The Al-
mighty can hardly be such a fool as the churches make out.
If you keep His laws I don’t think He can care a packet of
pins whether you believe in Him or not.’
‘But if I left my purse behind you would certainly return
it to me,’ said Philip.
‘Not from motives of abstract morality, but only from
fear of the police.’
‘It’s a thousand to one that the police would never find
out.’
‘My ancestors have lived in a civilised state so long that
the fear of the police has eaten into my bones. The daughter
of my concierge would not hesitate for a moment. You an-
swer that she belongs to the criminal classes; not at all, she
is merely devoid of vulgar prejudice.’
‘But then that does away with honour and virtue and
goodness and decency and everything,’ said Philip.
‘Have you ever committed a sin?’
‘I don’t know, I suppose so,’ answered Philip.
‘You speak with the lips of a dissenting minister. I have
never committed a sin.’
Cronshaw in his shabby great-coat, with the collar
turned up, and his hat well down on his head, with his red
fat face and his little gleaming eyes, looked extraordinarily
comic; but Philip was too much in earnest to laugh.
‘Have you never done anything you regret?’

Of Human Bondage