e, often held--but now driven home to him most
emphatically. He forgot his clerical duties and sank into profound
revery on his inconsistent position in the office of the highest
functionary of Holy Church aside from the Supreme Pontiff himself.

He was aroused at length from his meditations by the departure of the
American Bishop. "It is true, as you report," the Papal Secretary was
saying earnestly. "America seems rife with modernism. Free-masonry,
socialism, and countless other fads and religious superstitions are
widely prevalent there. Nor do I underestimate their strength and
influence. And yet, I fear them not. There are also certain freak
religions, philosophical beliefs, wrung from the simple teachings of
our blessed Saviour, the rapid spread of which at one time did give me
some concern. The Holy Father mentioned one or two of them to-day, in
reference to his contemplated encyclical on modernism. But I now see
that they are cults based upon human personality; and with their
leaders removed, the fabrics will of themselves crumble."

He took leave of the Bishop, and turned again to address the
Cardinal-Bishop within. "A matter of the gravest import has arisen,"
he began in a low voice; "and one that may directly affect our
negotiations in regard to the support which the Holy Father will need
in case he issues a _pronunciamento_ that France, Spain, and Austria
shall no longer exercise the right of veto in papal elections. That
rumor regarding Isabella's daughter is again afloat. I have summoned
Father Rafael de Rincon to Rome to state what he knows. But--" He rose
and looked out through the door at Jose, bending over his littered
desk. Then he went back, and resumed his conversation with the
Cardinal-Bishop, but in a tone so low that Jose could catch only
disconnected scraps.

"What, Colombia?" he at length heard the Cardinal-Bishop exclaim.

"Yes," was the Secretary's reply. "And presumably at the instigation
of that busybody, Wenceslas Ortiz. Though what concern he might have
in the _Infanta_ is to me incomprehensible--assuming, of course, that
there is such a royal daughter."

"But--Colombia elects a President soon, is it not so?"

"On the eve of election now," replied the Secretary. "And if the
influence of Wenceslas with the Bishop of Cartagena is what I am
almost forced to admit that it is, then the election is in his hands.
But, the _Infanta_--" The sound of his voice did not carry the rest of
his w