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 whose ritual I have so great admiration. I prefer to keep my judgment free, and you would not be far wrong in calling me an extreme Rationalist. I cull the flowers of all religions as I find them by the wayside. You will not wonder, then, that I was attracted to your lectures, which well repaid my attendance.’

‘I see that you and I have much in common, Miss Wilson. Still your interest in my lectures does not explain that of the cardinal.’

‘That is explained,’ she answered, ‘by your frequent and mysterious allusions to a mission of the Church of Rome, which you have never described. It was I who mentioned this to Cardinal Power, and he can no more guess the riddle than I. But it has aroused his curiosity, and that is why he desires to see you. I wonder what makes him so late.’

At this moment the servant entered, announcing, ‘His Eminence, Cardinal Power.’

‘Better late than never, cardinal,’ said the hostess, advancing; ‘we almost gave you up.’

‘Very sorry, Lady Humnoddie; I had to preside at a meeting and could not get away. But I hope,’ he added, looking round, ‘that I am still in time for a few words with the learned friend to whom you kindly promised to introduce me?’

‘Certainly; here he is. Mr Bristley, thou man of sin or of wisdom or of something, come forth and come hither.’

‘Lady Humnoddie evidently supposes me to be in a furnace of expectancy to meet your Eminence. And that might be justified by the result; who knows?’

‘More likely on my side than on yours, Mr Bristley,’ replied the cardinal; ‘it is I who should expect much from the acquaintance. Miss Wilson, with whom you were speaking as I came in, has perhaps told you why.’