ot speak of them,' was the abrupt reply.

'Have they met?'

'Once, and only once; and of the meeting his memory preserves no trace
whatever, since it was during his fever, and when his mind was wandering
and incoherent.'

'Could I see her, without being known? could I speak with her myself?'

Massoni shook his head doubtingly, 'No disguise would avail against her
craft.'

Caraffa pondered long over his thoughts, and at last said--'I have a
strong desire to see her, even though I should not speak to her. What
say you, Massoni?'

'It shall be as pleases your Eminence,' was the meek answer.

'So much I know, sir; but it is your counsel that I am now asking; what
would you advise?'

'So far as I can guess,' answered the Pere cautiously, 'it is her
marvellous gift to exert influence over those with whom she comes in
contact--a direct palpable sway. Even I, cold, impassive, as I am,
unused to feel, and long beyond the reach of such fascination--even _I_
have known what it is to confront a nature thus strangely endowed,'

'These are mere fancies, Massoni.'

'Fancies that have the force of convictions. For my own part, depositary
as I am of much that the world need not, should not, know, I would not
willingly expose my heart to one like her.'

'Were it even as you say, Massoni, of what could the knowledge avail
her? Bethink you for a moment of what strange mysteries of the human
heart every village curate is the keeper; how he has probed recesses,
dived into secret clefts, of which, till revealed by strict search, the
very possessor knew not the existence; and yet how valueless, how inert,
how inoperative in the great game of life does not this knowledge prove.
If this were power, the men who possessed it would sway the universe.'

'And so they might,' burst in Massoni, 'if they would adapt to the
great events of life the knowledge which they now dissipate in the small
circle of family existence. If they would apply to statecraft the same
springs by which they now awaken jealousies, kindle passions, lull
just suspicions, and excite distrusts! With powder enough to blow up
a fortress, they are contented to spend it in fireworks! The order of
which I am an unworthy member alone conceived a different estimate of
the duty.'

'The world gives credit to your zeal,' said the Cardinal slyly.

'The world is an ungrateful taskmaster. It would have its work done, and
be free to disparage those who have laboured for it.'