"And I--even though I cannot live to see Britain restored to
the Faith," said the Monsignore.

The Duchessa smiled at Peter.

"What a hotbed of Ultramontanes and reactionaries you have
fallen into," she murmured.

"It is exhilarating," said he, "to meet people who have
convictions."

"Even when you regard their convictions as erroneous?" she
asked.

"Yes, even then," he answered. "But I'm not sure I regard as
erroneous the convictions I have heard expressed to-night."

"Oh--?" she wondered. "Would you like to see Rome restored to
the Pope?"

"Yes," said he, "decidedly--for aesthetic reasons, if for no
others."

"I suppose there are aesthetic reasons," she assented. "But
we, of course, think there are conclusive reasons in mere
justice."

"I don't doubt there are conclusive reasons in mere justice,
too," said he.