dom which it has always
pronounced against innovators, I can not but believe that the consciences
of many Churchmen would be glad to be relieved of a burden of State
temptation which they feel to be hurtful and intolerable--to render unto
Caesar the things which are Caesar's and unto God the things that are
God's. Be that as it may, I have now to tell you that feeling this
question to be paramount, yet despairing of dealing with it in the few
years that old age has left to me, I have concluded to resign my office.
It is for some younger statesman to fight this battle of the separation
between the spiritual and the temporal in the interests of true religion
and true civilization. God grant he may be a Christian man, and God speed
and bless him!"

The cabinet broke up with many unwonted expressions of affection for the
old leader, and many requests that he should "think again" over the step
he contemplated. But every one knew that he had set his heart on an
impossible enterprise, and every one felt that behind it lay the painful
impulse of an incident reported at length in the newspapers that morning.

Left alone in the cabinet room, the Prime Minister drew up his chair
before the empty grate and gave way to tender memories. He thought of
John Storm and the wreck his life had fallen to; of John's mother and her
brave renunciation of love; and finally of himself and his near
retirement. A spasm of the old lust of power came over him, and he saw
himself--to-morrow, next day, next week--delivering up his seals of
office to the Queen, and then--the next day after that--getting up from
this chair for the last time and going out of this room to return to it
no more--his work done, his life ended.

It was at that moment the footman came to say that a young lady in the
dress of a nurse was waiting in the hall. "A messenger from John," he
thought. And, as he rose to receive her, heavily, wearily, and with the
burden of his years upon him, Glory came into the room with her quivering
face and two great tear-drops standing in her eyes, but glowing with
youth and health and courage.

"Sit down, sit down. But----" looking at her again, "have you been here
before?"

"Never, my lord."

"I have seen you somewhere."

"I was an actress once. And I am a friend of John's."

"Of John's? Then you are----"

"I am Glory."

"Glory! And so we meet at last, dear lady! But I _have_ seen you before.
When he spoke of you, but did not bring