"Well," said he, pondering, while the parentheses became marked

again,--"I should think, from what you tell me, that you would

find him a useful neighbour. Let me see . . . You got fifty

lire out of him, for a word; and the children went off,

blessing you as their benefactress. I should think that you

would find him a valuable neighbour--and that he, on his side,

might find you an expensive one."

Beatrice, with a gesture, implored him to be serious.

"Ah, please don't tease about this," she said. "I want to know

what you think of his conversion?"

"The conversion of a heretic is always 'a consummation devoutly

to be desired,' as well, you may settle it between Shakespeare

and Byron, to suit yourself. And there are none so devoutly

desirous of such consummations as you Catholics of England

--especially you women. It is said that a Catholic Englishwoman

once tried to convert the Pope."

"Well, there have been popes whom it would n't have hurt,"

commented Beatrice. "And as for Mr. Marchdale," she continued,

"he has shown 'dispositions.' He admitted that he could see no

reason why it should not have been Our Blessed Lady who sent us

to the children's aid. Surely, from a Protestant, that is an

extraordinary admission?"

"Yes," said the Cardinal. "And if he meant it, one may

conclude that he has a philosophic mind."

"If he meant it?" Beatrice cried. "Why should he not have

meant it? Why should he have said it if he did not mean it?"

"Oh, don't ask me," protested the Cardinal. "There is a thing

the French call politesse. I can conceive a young man

professing to agree with a lady for the sake of what the French

might call her beaux yeux."

"I give you my word," said Beatrice, "that my beaux yeux had

nothing to do with the case. He said it in the most absolute

good faith. He said he believed that in a universe like ours

nothing was impossible--that there were more things in heaven

and earth than people generally dreamed of--that he could see

no reason why the Blessed Virgin should not have sent us across

the children's path. Oh, he meant it. I am perfectly sure he

meant it."

The Cardinal smiled--at her eagerness, perhaps.

"Well, then," he repeated, "we must conclude that he has a

philosophic mind."

"But what is one to do?" asked she. "Surely one ought to do

something? One ought to follow such an admission up? When a

man is so far on the way to the light, it is surely one's duty

to lead him farther?"




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