nt for you, that, as an old man to
a young woman, by God's grace I might strengthen you and support you."

She kissed his ring again and continued to kneel by the arm of his
chair.

"Long ago, my child, I knew one who was in something like the same
position, and perhaps it is the memory of what befell that poor soul
which impels me to speak to you.... But she is dead, her story is dead
too; let time and nature cover them."

His voice had a slight tremor. She looked up. There was a hush, a
momentary thrill. Then he smiled again and patted her hand once more.

"You must not let the world weaken you, my child, or cause you to doubt
the validity of your marriage. Whether it is a good marriage, in effect
as well as intention (one of you being still unbaptized), it is for the
Church, not the world, to decide."

Again Roma kissed the ring of the Pope, and again he patted the hand
that lay under his.

"Nevertheless, there is something I wish you to do, my daughter," he
said, in the same low tones. "I wish you to tell your husband."

"Holy Father," said Roma, "I have already told him. I had done so before
I spoke to Father Pifferi, but only under the disguise of another
woman's story."

"And what did your husband say?"

"He said what your Holiness says. He was very charitable and noble; so I
took heart and told him everything."

"And what did he say then?"

A cloud crossed her face. "Holy Father, he has not yet said anything."

"Not anything?"

"He is away; he has not replied to my letter."

"Has there been time?"

"More than time, your Holiness, but still I hear nothing."

"And what is your conclusion?"

"That my letter has awakened some pity, but now that he knows _I_ am the
wife I spoke about and _he_ is the husband intended, he cannot forgive
me as he said the husband would forgive, and his generous soul is in
distress."

"My daughter, could you wish me to speak to him?"

The cloud fled from her face. "It is more than I deserve, far more, but
if the Holy Father would do that...."

"Then I must know the names--you must tell me everything."

"Yes, yes!"

"Who is your father, my child?"

"My father died in banishment. He was a Liberal--he was Prince Prospero
Volonna."

"As I thought. Who was the other man?"

"He was a distant kinsman of my father's, and I have lately discovered
that he was the principal instrument in my father's deportation. He was
my guardian, a Minister and a great man in Ita