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."