put an end to Romanism.

"'But is there any fear that a reciprocal influence might be
exercised on the Northern nations?' inquired Lothair. 'Would there
be any apprehension of our Protestantism becoming proportionately
relaxed?'

"'Of course not,' said Apollonia. 'Truth cannot be affected by
climate. Truth is truth alike in Palestine and Scandinavia.'

"'I wonder what the Cardinal would think of this,' said Lothair,
'who, you tell me, is coming to you this evening.'

"'Yes, I am most interested to see him, though he is the most
puissant of our foes. Of course he would take refuge in sophistry;
and science, you know, they deny.'

"'Cardinal Grandison is giving some lectures on science,' said the
Vice-Chancellor's lady, quietly.

"'It is remorse,' said Apollonia. 'Their clever men can never
forget that unfortunate affair of Galileo, and think they can
divert the indignation of the nineteenth century by mock zeal about
red sandstone or the origin of species.'

"'And are you afraid of the Gulf Stream?' inquired Lothair of his
calmer neighbour.

"'I think we want more evidence of a change. The Vice-Chancellor
and I went down to a place we have near town on Saturday, where
there is a very nice piece of water; indeed, some people call it a
lake; it was quite frozen, and my boys wanted to skate, but that I
would not permit.'

"'You believe in the Gulf Stream to that extent,' said Lothair; 'no
skating.'

"The Cardinal came early; the ladies had not long left the
dining-room. They were agitated when his name was announced; even
Apollonia's heart beat; but then that might be accounted for by the
inopportune recollection of an occasional correspondence with
Caprera.

"Nothing could exceed the simple suavity with which the Cardinal
appeared, approached, and greeted them. He thanked Apollonia for
her permission to pay his respects to her, which he had long
wished to do; and then they were all presented, and he said exactly
the right thing to every one."

Disraeli began his career, as I have pointed out in the earlier part of
this essay, as a purveyor of entertainment to the public in a popular
and not very dignified kind. He contended with the crowd of fashionable
novelists whose books consoled the leisure of Mrs. Wititterly as she
reclined