these tricks upon us. And it is owing to this same cause that you
are weary and dispirited, and that you take such a gloomy view of
the social and religious outlook. You are evidently out of health
and unstrung;--but after you have had sufficient rest and change,
you will see things in quite a different aspect. I will not for a
moment believe that you could possibly be as unorthodox as your
conversation would imply,--it would be a total misconception of your
true character," and the Archbishop laughed softly. "A total
misconception," he repeated,--"Why, yes, of course it would be! No
Cardinal-Archbishop of Holy Mother Church could bring such
accusations against its ministry as you would have suggested, unless
he were afflicted by nervous depression, which, as we all know, has
the uncomfortable effect of creating darkness even where all is
light. Do you stay long in Rouen?"

"No," replied the Cardinal abstractedly, answering the question
mechanically though his thoughts were far away--"I leave for Paris
to-morrow."

"For Paris? And then?"

"I go to Rome with my niece, Angela Sovrani,--she is in Paris
awaiting my arrival now."

"Ah! You must be very proud of your niece!" murmured the Archbishop
softly--"She is famous everywhere,--a great artist!--a wonderful
genius!"

"Angela paints well--yes," said the Cardinal quietly,--"But she has
still a great deal to learn. And she is unfortunately much more