"I might be quite prepared," said the Archbishop slowly, "in such an event, to withdraw myself from all political action of a party character." "You cannot so separate yourself from the past," objected the Prime Minister. "I do not see the difficulty. You yourself, in a long and varied career, have twice changed your party, or deserted it. If that can be done with sincerity, it is equally possible to become of no party at all." The Prime Minister flushed at this attack on his past record, and struck back-- "Not for an Archbishop," he said, a little sneeringly. "The Church now-a-days has become not merely a part of our political system, but a stereotyped adjunct of party, and a very one-sided one at that." "To answer such a charge adequately," replied his Grace, "I should be forced into political debate foreign to our present discussion. What concerns me here and now is that something has taken place--pregnant for good or ill--which you regard as impossible, and which I do not. In either case--whatever conclusion is reached--I am called upon to make a sacrifice. Of that I do not complain, but what I am bound to consider, even before the interests of the State (upon which we take different views), are the interests of the Church. When we last met you were preparing to do those interests something of an injustice: and your more recent proposals do not induce me to think that you have changed your mind. If the Church is to lose the ground she now holds in the State she must seek to recover it elsewhere. I cannot blind my eyes to the fact that, in the high position now offered to her, my daughter will be able to do a great work--for the Church." "I believed that you had no sympathy with the intrusion of women into the domain of politics." "Not into politics, no; but the Church is different. We have in our Saints' Calendar women--queens some of them--who were ready to lay down their lives for the Church, and to secure her recognition by heathen peoples and kings. Why should not my daughter be one?" He spoke with an exalted air, his hand resting upon his cross. "Your Grace," said the Prime Minister in a changed tone, "may I put one very crucial question? Have you a complete influence over your daughter?" "That I can hardly answer; I will only say that she is dutiful. Never, so far as I am aware, has she questioned my authority, nor has she combated my judgment in any matter where it was my duty to decide for her what was right." On this showing she seemed a very estimable and trustworthy young person; and with a sense of encouragement the Prime Minister went on-- "Then upon this question of her marriage with the Prince, would she, do you think, be guided by you?" "She would not marry him without my consent." "And your consent might be forthcoming?" "Under certain circumstances, I think--yes." "And as the circumstances stand now at this moment?" The Archbishop paused, and looked long at the Prime Minister before answering.