by the depth of
suffering so plainly revealed within the great, black, appealing eyes.
So peculiarly delicate were the features, so slender the fragile form,
about which a frayed and rusty robe clung loosely, that for a moment I
actually believed I was looking upon a young girl. So strong was this
impression that I drew back, almost abashed. This slight pause enabled
Cairnes to regain his feet and press past me. As his eager glance fell
upon that slender, crouching figure, I observed how suddenly his eyes
hardened, his whole expression changed.

"You are a priest of Rome!" he exclaimed harshly, staring down.

The white, girlish face brightened instantly, the two thin hands
plucking forth from some fold in the tattered robe a small silver
crucifix. At sight of this the stern-mouthed Puritan drew sharply
back, as if he feared contamination from the symbol.

"_Oui, Monsieur_," answered the soft voice, with an odd note of joy in
it. "I am of the Society of Jesus."

"'T is plain to see. What do you here?"

The priest smiled gently, his eyes dimming with tears fixed upon the
cross.

"'Tis strange question. Surely Monsieur knoweth little of our Order,
or he would not need to ask. We are soldiers of Christ, commissioned
for war, even to life or death. We ask nothing but the privilege of
service, and the command of our superior. I am named missionary unto
the savage tribes of this river. It has been the will of God that I
suffer in order that through me some souls born into heathendom may
thus be redeemed from the torments of the damned."

The sectary's rough, gray face reddened until it was nearly the color
of his hair.

"'Tis false!" he growled, smiting one hand hard upon the other in
anger. "You only lead the way straight to hell with your false
doctrine. Have you made any converts to the Roman harlot in this
tribe?"

"Nay, Monsieur, I cannot lay claim to such reward." His eyes slowly
uplifted to the face of his questioner. "Jesu hath not as yet opened
before my understanding the way which leadeth to their hearts. I can
but work, and pray for guidance. I have only baptised one who was
dying of a fever, and sprinkled with holy water an infant, unknown to
its mother. It is not much, yet I bless the good Mary for the
salvation of those precious souls."

"Saints of Israel! do you think that mummery saved them?"

"Surely yes, Monsieur; is it not so taught of our Order?"

I shall never forget the