"Ah yes, in 1894; and that Cardinal della Volta was Your Holiness's Double. This sent me back to the letters again; and I became more and more convinced that an immense and almost irreparable wrong had been done. I cannot tell You how strongly I felt that, Holy Father." "But what made you--well, practically impose Us on the compromissaries?" "That I cannot say: although in my own mind there is very little doubt but that----However, these are the facts. I was so full of the case, that I narrated it at our morning conference as an instance of the fallibility of what--I think it was Your Holiness Who gave it the name--yes, it was,--as an instance of the fallibility of the Machine. I shall never forget the effect of my words upon Cardinal Mundo. It was most extraordinary. He said--I shall remember what he said as long as I live--he said 'My Lord Cardinal, you owe it to that man to propose him for the paparchy; yes you owe it!' He rather upset me. I replied that Your Holiness was not even in sacred orders. He answered 'Whose fault is that?' I may say that the point was a very keen one. No one could fail to perceive its relevancy. To use a vulgar expression, it touched the thing with a needle. The others did not help me at all; and I considered the matter for a few minutes. Mundo went on, 'If that man had a real Vocation, he will have persevered: if he has persevered, the twenty years or more of waiting will have purified----'" "Pray do not quote Cardinal Mundo." "Well, in short, I was irresistibly moved to propose Your Holiness----" "And then, because no other candidate was forthcoming: because--We understand. You came to Us, found Us persistent----" "Yes, Holiness." "Well: shall we take a little stroll in the garden, and say some Office?" Cardinal Courtleigh jumped. "I'm sure--if Your Holiness doesn't mind walking by the side of my bath-chair----" "Oh, but We do. It is Our invariable custom to walk behind bath-chairs and push them." "Indeed I could not for one moment permit----" "No: but for an hour you will submit. Nonsense man, do you suppose that one never has pushed a bath-chair before! Now sit-down quietly and open your breviary and read the Office; and We will look over your shoulder and make the responses. It's awfully good exercise, you know." CHAPTER VII