chance of subverting the Anglican Establishment, he is favoring a policy
which will subvert religion itself. In his eagerness he cannot see that
the Anglicans have only a lease of our property, a lease which is
rapidly expiring."

"This is sad."

"It is perilous, and difficult to deal with. But it must be dealt with.
The problem is to suppress Fenianism, and not to strengthen the
Protestant confederacy."

"And you left Rome for this? We understood you were coming for
something else," said Lady St. Jerome, in a significant tone.

"Yes, yes, I have been there, and I have seen him."

"And have you succeeded?"

"No; and no one will -- at least at present."

"Is all lost, then? Is the Malta scheme again on the carpet?"

"Our Holy Church in built upon a rock," said the monsignore, "but not
upon the rock of Malta. Nothing is lost; Antonelli is calm and sanguine,
though, rest assured, there is no doubt about what I tell you. France
has washed her hands of us."

"Where, then, are we to look for aid?" exclaimed Lady St. Jerome,
"against the assassins and atheists? Austria, the alternative ally, is
no longer near you; and if she were -- that I should ever live to say it