es--"

"Was it through him that she became a communicant?"

"Yes. Why?"

"And is he also working with Mr. J. Wilton Ames? He converted Mrs.
Ames's sister, the Dowager Duchess, in England. The young Duke is also
going to join the faith, I learn. But--you?" He stopped suddenly and
looked searchingly at her.

At that moment a maid entered, bearing a card. Close on her heels
followed the subject of their conversation, Monsignor himself.

As he entered, Carmen rose hastily to greet him. Lafelle bent over her
hand. Then, as he straightened up, his glance fell upon Father Waite.
The latter bowed without speaking. For a moment the two men stood
eying each other sharply. Then Lafelle looked from Father Waite to
Carmen quizzically. "I beg your pardon," he said, "I was not aware
that you had a caller. Madam Beaubien, is she at home?"

"No," said Carmen simply. "She went out for a ride."

"Ah!" murmured Lafelle, looking significantly from the girl to Father
Waite, while a smile curled his lips. "I see. I will intrude no
further." He bowed again, and turned toward the exit.

"Wait!" rang forth Carmen's clear voice. She had caught the
churchman's insinuating glance and instantly read its meaning.
"Monsignor Lafelle, you will remain!"

The churchman's brows arched with surprise, but he came back and stood
by the chair which she indicated.

"And first," went on the girl, standing before him like an incarnate
Nemesis, her face flushed and her eyes snapping, "you will hear from
me a quotation from the Scripture, on which you assume to be
authority: 'As a man thinketh in his heart, so _is_ he!'"

For a moment Lafelle flushed. Then his face darkened. Finally a bland
smile spread over his features, and he sat down. The girl resumed her
seat.

"Now, Monsignor Lafelle," she continued severely, "you have urged me
to unite with your Church. When you asked me to subscribe to your
beliefs I looked first at them, and then at you, their product. You
have come here this afternoon to plead with me again. The thoughts
which you accepted when you saw Father Waite here alone with me, are
they a reflection of love, which thinketh no evil? Or do they reflect
the intolerance, the bigotry, the hatred of the carnal mind? You told
me that your Church would not let me teach it. Think you I will let it
or you teach me?"

Father Waite sat amazed at the girl's stinging rebuke. When she
concluded he rose to go.

"No!" said Carmen. "You, too, sha