"I am afraid I interrupt you," she said.

"Not at all," Kalonay assured her, laughing. "It is a most
welcome interruption. The good father has been finding fault
with me, as usual, and I am quite willing to change the
subject."

The priest smiled kindly on the girl, and while he exchanged
some words of welcome with her, Kalonay brought up one of the
huge wicker chairs, and she seated herself with her back to
the others, facing the two men, who stood leaning against the
broad balustrade. They had been fellow-conspirators
sufficiently long for them to have grown to know each other
well, and the priest, so far from regarding her as an
intruder, hailed her at once as a probable ally, and
endeavored to begin again where he had ceased speaking.

"Do you not agree with me, Miss Carson?" he asked. "I am
telling the Prince that zeal is not enough, and that high
ideals, unless they are accompanied by good conduct, are
futile. I want him to change, to be more sober, more
strict----"

"Oh, you must not ask me," Miss Carson said, hurriedly,
smiling and shaking her head. "We are working for only one
thing, are we not? Beyond that you know nothing of me, and I
know nothing of you. I came to hear of your visit," she
continued; "am I to be told anything?" she asked, eagerly,
looking from one to the other. "It has been such an anxious