he story in English, and it is magnificent, but
Italian is its perfect raiment."

"It is delightful of you to say so," said Paul, subtly flattered by the
knowledge of his ancestry exhibited by the Cardinal, but at the same
time keenly on the alert. Giovanni Pescara did not study men at the
prompting of mere curiosity.

"It is delightful to have been afforded an opportunity to say so. Your
love of Tuscany, which is natural, has sometimes led me to hope that
one day you would consent to spend your winters or a part of them
amongst us, Mr. Mario. No door in Italy would be closed to you."

"You honour me very highly, and indeed I know something of your Italian
hospitality, but there are so many points upon which I find myself at
variance with the Church that I should hesitate to accept it under false
pretences."

Cardinal Pescara gazed at him mildly. "You find yourself at variance
with the Church, Mr. Mario? Frankly, your words surprise me. In which of
your works have you expressed these dissensions?"

"Notably in _The Gates_."

"In that event I have misunderstood your purpose in writing that fine
and unusual book. I do not recall that his Holiness has banned it."

Paul met the questioning glance of the hazel eyes and knew himself
foiled. "I must confess that I have not expressly inquired into that
matter," he said; "but it was only because I had taken inclusion in the
Index for granted."

"But why should you do so, Mr. Mario? Have you advocated the destruction
of the Papal power?"

"Emphatically no. An organisation such as that of Rome and resting upon
such authority is not lightly destroyed."

"Have you denied the mission of the heir of St. Peter to preach the Word
of the Messiah?"

"I have not."

"Have you denied the divinity of Christ or the existence of Almighty
God?"

"Certainly not."

"Then why should you expect Rome to place its ban upon your book?"

"I have not questioned the authority of Rome, your Eminence, but I have
questioned Rome's employment of that authority."

"As you are entitled to do being not a priest but a layman. We have many
Orders within the Church, and upon minor doctrinal points they differ
one from another, but their brotherhood is universal and his Holiness
looks with equal favour upon them all. Amongst Catholic laymen we have
kindly critics, but Rome is ever ready to reply to criticism and never
disregards it. If you are conscious of imperfections in the
administration of