Clementina

Gaydon told him thereupon of that secret passage from the Chevalier's

house into the back street, and of that promenade to the Princess's

house which he had spied upon. Wogan listened without any remark, and

yet without any attempt to quicken his informant. But as soon as he had

the story, he set off at a run towards the Cardinal's palace. "So the

Princess," he thought, "had more than a rumour to go upon, though how

she came by her knowledge the devil only knows." At the palace he was

told that the Cardinal was gone to the Archiginnasio.

"I will wait," said Wogan; and he waited in the library for an

hour,--another priceless hour of that swiftly passing fortnight, and he

was not a whit nearer to his end! He made it his business, however, to

show a composed face to his Eminence, and since his Eminence's dinner

was ready, to make a pretence of sharing the meal. The Cardinal was in a

mood of great contentment.

"It is your presence, Mr. Wogan, puts me in a good humour," he was

pleased to say.

"Or a certain letter your Eminence received from Spain to-day?" asked

Wogan.

"True, the letter was one to cause all the King's friends satisfaction."

"And some few of them, perhaps, relief," said Wogan.

The Cardinal glanced at Wogan, but with a quite impassive countenance.

He took a pinch of snuff and inhaled it delicately. Then he glanced at

Wogan again.

"I have a hope, Mr. Wogan," said he, with a great cordiality. "You shall

tell me if it is to fall. I see much of you of late, and I have a hope

that you are thinking of the priesthood. We should welcome you very

gladly, you may be sure. Who knows but what there is a Cardinal's hat

hung up in the anteroom of the future for you to take down from its

peg?"

The suggestion was sufficiently startling to Wogan, who had thought of

nothing less than of entering into orders. But he was not to be diverted

by this piece of ingenuity.

"Your Eminence," said he, "although I hold myself unworthy of priestly

vows, I am here in truth in the character of a catechist."

"Catechise, then, my friend," said the Cardinal, with a smile.

"First, then, I would ask your Eminence how many of the King's followers

have had the honour of being presented to the Princess Clementina?"

"Very few."

"Might I know the names?"