n give, who fears nothing that any one
can do, who lives securely in the presence of God, is a power we must
not under-rate."

She spoke with enthusiasm--the enthusiasm which women seldom, if ever,
display for principle on its bare merits. By the deepening colour in her
eyes and sudden clearness in her cheeks, the Ambassador felt that he had
reached a point where the emotions would have to be considered, even
though they might not be counted on.

"I have not time to tell you all the nonsense Reckage said," he
answered. "So far as my own judgment can serve for a guide, I believe
that he would like to see Orange under the care and discipline of St.
Ignatius."

"He wishes him to become a Jesuit priest? How selfish!"

"Such is my impression. He wants so competent a colleague removed from
the political sphere. If his words and actions are of a piece, he will
certainly work hard to attain this object. He is saying everywhere,
'Orange is a born ecclesiastic. Orange is a mystic. Orange is under the
influence of Newman. Orange begins to see that marriage is not for him.'
Such remarks don't help outside the Church. Really, competition renders
the nicest people detestable."

Lady Sara could not conceal her agitation. But she baffled her companion
a little by saying--

"I suppose you want Orange to marry your inopportune Archduchess?"

"The lady in question is certainly inopportune. I have never called her
an Archduchess. I leave such audacities to her enemies! But tell me what
you think of _Mrs. Parflete_?"

"I have never seen her. Pensee Fitz Rewes insists that she is beautiful,
cold, determined, and uncommon."

"Generally, there is nothing so fatal to a woman's success in the world
as an early connection with a scoundrel. I have odd accounts of Mrs.
Parflete from Madrid--the Marquis of Castrillon and an upstart called
Bodava fought a duel about her in Baron Zeuill's gymnasium. A man called
William Caffle, who attended to their wounds, has given me fullest
particulars of the affair. I don't wish to injure the lady, but on
account of eventualities which might arise, I am obliged to look a
little about me."

"I understand," said Sara.

"The great point is not to let Parflete take the lead in the settlement.
His present course of action isn't quite decent or consistent. Will
Orange do nothing? It is wise to make peace whilst there is some faint
appearance of choice left on the subject, so there is no time to be
wasted