"No, no," interrupted the Archbishop impatiently; "he has styled himself the first Republican in Europe. He will make Catholicism the state religion; but he will extend religious toleration to all. He is consumptive in mind as well as in body. And the army--alas! what may we look for from it when soldiers like this Polo Hernandez refuse to kneel during the Mass?" "The man has been arrested, Your Eminence," the secretary offered in consolation. "But the court-martial acquitted him!" "True. Yet he has now been summoned before the supreme court in Madrid." The Archbishop's face brightened somewhat. "And the result--what think you?" The secretary shrugged his drooping shoulders. "They will condemn him." Yes, doubtless he would be condemned, for mediaevalism dies hard in Spain. But the incident was portentous, and the Archbishop and his keen secretary heard in it an ominous echo. A servant appeared at the heavy portieres, and at a sign from the secretary ushered Josè and his father into the august presence awaiting them. An hour later the pair emerged from the palace and started homeward. His Eminence, rousing himself from the profound revery in which he had been sunk for some moments, turned to his expectant secretary. "A Luther in embryo!" he ejaculated. "I feared as much, Your Eminence," returned the austere secretary. "And yet, a remarkable intellect! Astonishing mental power! But all tainted with the damnable so-called scientific spirit!" "True, Your Eminence." "But marked you not his deep reverence for God? And his sturdy honesty? And how, despite his embarrassment, the religious zeal of his soul shown forth?" "He is morbidly honest, Your Grace." "A trait I wish we might employ to our own advantage," mused the churchman. Then, continuing, "He is learned far beyond his years. Indeed, his questions put me to some stress--but only for the difficulty of framing replies intelligible to a mind so immature," he added hastily. "Either he feared my presence, or he is naturally shrinking." "He is so by nature, Your Eminence." The Archbishop reflected. "Naïve--pure--simple--mature, yet childish. Have we covered the ground?" "Not fully, Your Eminence. We omitted to mention his absorbing filial devotion." "True. And that, you tell me, is most pronounced." "It is his strongest characteristic, Your Eminence. He has no will to oppose it." "Would that his devotion were for Holy Church!" sighed the Archbishop. "I think it may be so directed, Your Eminence," quickly returned the secretary. "But--would he ever consent to enter the priesthood? And once in, would he not prove a most dangerous element?" The secretary made a deprecating gesture. "If I may suggest, such a man as he promises to become is far more dangerous outside of the Church than within, Your Eminence." The Archbishop studied the man's face for a few moments. "There is truth in your words, my friend. Yet how, think you, may he be secured?"