e Elector.

With a cheek slightly flushed, and a haughty step, Caraflfa entered the
little library, where the Pere was seated at study, and though Massoni's
reception was marked by every observance of respectful humility, his
Eminence sharply said--

'You carry your head high, Pere Massoni. You have a haughty spirit. Is
it that your familiarity with Royalty has taught you to treat Cardinals
thus cavalierly?'

'I am the humblest slave and servant of your Eminence,' was the
submissive answer, as with arms crossed upon his breast and head bent
forward, Massoni stood before him.

'I should be sorry to have a whole household of such material,' said
the Cardinal with a supercilious smile; then, after a moment, and in an
easier, lighter tone of banter he said: 'And his Royal Highness, Pere,
how is he?'

'The Prince is better, your Eminence: he is able to walk about the
garden, where he is at this moment.'

'The cares of his estate have not, I trust, interfered with his
recovery,' said Caraflfa in the same accent of mockery.

'If he does not yet know them,' said Massoni gravely, 'it is because
in my deference to your Eminence I have waited for yourself to make the
communication.'

'Are you still decided, then, that he must be of royal race?'

'I see no reason why he should be robbed of his birthright.'

'Would you make him the heir of Charles Edward?'

'He is so.'

'King of England, too?'

'If legitimacy mean anything, he is that also.'

'Arnulph tells us, that when a delusion gets hold of a strong intellect,
it grows there like an oak that has its roots in a rock: its progress
slow, its development difficult, but its tenacity ineradicable.'

'Your Eminence's logic would be excellent in its application, but that
you have assumed the whole question at issue! Are you so perfectly sure
that this is a delusion?'

'Let us talk like men of the world, Pere Massoni,' said Carafla bluntly.
'If this tale be all true, what interest has it for you or me?'

'Its truth, your Eminence,' said the Pere, with a gesture of deep
humility, as though by a show of respect to cover the bold rebuke of his
words.

'So far, of course, it claims our sympathy and our support,' said
Carafla, reddening; 'but my question was addressed rather to what would
carry a more worldly signification. I meant, in short, to what object
could it contribute for which we are interested?'

'I have already, and at great length, explained to your Emine