. She
nettled and exasperated him. Yet, he could not let her alone. Did he
have the power to silence her? He thought he had.

"Have you finished with me?" he asked, with a show of gaiety. "If so,
I will depart."

"Yes," replied Carmen, "you may go now."

Lafelle paled. He had not expected that reply. He was stung to the
quick. What! dismissed like a lackey? He, Monsignor, a dignitary of
Holy Church? He could not believe it! He turned upon the girl and her
companion, furious with anger.

"I have been very patient with you both," he said in a voice that he
could not control. "But there is a reasonable limit. Abuse the Church
as you will, the fact remains that the world fears her and trembles
before her awful voice! Why? Because the world recognizes her mighty
power, a power of unified millions of human beings and exhaustless
wealth. She is the leader, the guide, the teacher, the supreme object
of worship of a countless army who would lay down their lives to-day
for her. Her subjects gather from every quarter of the globe. They are
English, French, German, American--_but they are Catholics first_!
Emperor, King, Ruler, or Government--all are alike subject to her
supreme, divine authority! Nationalities, customs, family ties--all
melt away before her, to whom her followers bow in loyal consecration.
The power which her supreme leader and head wields is all but
omnipotent! He is by divine decree Lord of the world. Hundreds of
millions bend before his throne and offer him their hearts and swords!
I say, you have good reason to quake! Aye, America has reason to fear!
The onward march of Holy Church is not disturbed by the croaking
calumnies of such as you who would assault her! And to you I say,
beware!" His face was purple, as he stopped and mopped his damp brow.

"What we have to beware of, Monsignor," said Father Waite gravely, "is
the steady encroachments of Rome in this country, with her weapons of
fear, ignorance, and intolerance--"

"Intolerance! You speak of intolerance! Why, in this country, whose
Constitution provided toleration for every form of religion--"

Carmen had risen and gone to the man. "Monsignor," she said, "the
founders of the American nation did provide for religious tolerance--and
they were wise according to their light. But we of this day are
still wiser, for we have some knowledge of the wonderful working of
mental laws. I, too, believe in toleration of opinion. You are
welcome to yours, and