The old man started.

"Oh!... I think it will pass," he said, "if a man can be found to push
it. All this last century has been leading up to it, as you see.
Patriotism has been dying fast; but it ought to have died, like slavery
and so forth, under the influence of the Catholic Church. As it is, the
work has been done without the Church; and the result is that the world
is beginning to range itself against us: it is an organised antagonism--
a kind of Catholic anti-Church. Democracy has done what the Divine
Monarchy should have done. If the proposal passes I think we may expect
something like persecution once more.... But, again, the Eastern
invasion may save us, if it comes off.... I do not know...."

Percy sat still yet a moment; then he stood up suddenly.

"I must go, sir," he said, relapsing into Esperanto. "It is past
nineteen o'clock. Thank you so much. Are you coming, father?"

Father Francis stood up also, in the dark grey suit permitted to
priests, and took up his hat.

"Well, father," said the old man again, "come again some day, if I
haven't been too discursive. I suppose you have to write your letter
yet?"

Percy nodded.

"I did half of it this morning," he said, "but I felt I wanted another
bird's-eye view before I could understand properly: I am so grateful to