does not purchase Maxim guns, nor pay for rations, and Madame
Zara's visit to the capital was, as you know, even less
successful."

"Your Majesty has seen Miss Carson, then?" the priest asked.

"Yes, her mother and she have been staying at the Continental
ever since they followed you here from Paris, and I have seen
her once or twice during your absence. The young lady seems
an earnest daughter of our faith, and she is deeply in
sympathy with our effort to re-establish your order and the
influence of the Church upon the island. I have explained to
her that the only way in which the Church can regain her
footing there is through my return to the throne, and Miss
Carson has hinted that she is willing to make even a larger
contribution than the one she first mentioned. If she means
to do this, it would be well if she did it at once."

"Perhaps I have misunderstood her," said the priest, after a
moment's consideration; "but I thought the sum she meant to
contribute was to be given only after the monarchy has been
formally established, and that she wished whatever she gave to
be used exclusively in rebuilding the churches and the
monastery. I do not grudge it to your Majesty's purpose, but
so I understood her."

"Ah, that is quite possible," returned Louis, easily; "it may
be that she did so intend at first, but since I have talked
with her she has shown a willing disposition to aid us not
only later, but now. My success means your success," he