“I have not refused him. If I thought I could do any good I am not sure I would not go,” said Lothair; “but, from what I have seen of the Roman court, there is little hope of reconciling our differences. Rome is stubborn. Now, look at the difficulty they make about the marriage of a Protestant and one of their own communion. It is cruel, and I think on their part unwise.” “The sacrament of marriage is of ineffable holiness,” said Lady St. Jerome. “I do not wish to deny that,” said Lothair, “but I see no reason why I should not marry a Roman Catholic if I liked, without the Roman Church interfering and entirely regulating my house and home.” “I wish you would speak to Father Coleman about this,” said Lady St. Jerome. “I have had much talk with Father Coleman about many things in my time,” said Lothair, “but not about this. By-the-by, have you any news of the monsignore?” “He is in Ireland, arranging about the Oecumenical Council. They do not understand these matters there as well as we do in England, and his holiness, by the cardinal’s advice, has sent the monsignore to put things right.” “All the Father Colemans in the world cannot alter the state of affairs about mixed marriages,” said Lothair; “they can explain, but they cannot alter. I want change in this matter, and Rome never changes.” “It is impossible for the Church to change,” said Lady St. Jerome, “because it is Truth.” “Is Miss Arundel at home?” said Lothair. “I believe so,” said Lady St. Jerome. “I never see her now,” he said, discontentedly. “She never goes to balls, and she never rides. Except occasionally under this roof, she is invisible.” ‘“Clare does not go any longer into society,” said Lady St. Jerome. “Why?” “Well, it is a secret,” said Lady St. Jerome, with some disturbance of countenance and speaking in a lower tone; “at least at present; and yet I can hardly on such a subject wish that there should be a secret from you—Clare is about to take the veil.” “Then I have not a friend left in the world,” said Lothair, in a despairing tone. Lady St. Jerome looked at him with an anxious glance. “Yes,” she continued; “I do not wish to conceal it from you, that for a time we could have wished it otherwise—it has been, it is a trying event for my lord and myself—but the predisposition, which was always strong, has ended in a determination so absolute, that we recognize the Divine purpose in her decision, and we bow to it.” “I do not bow to it,” said Lothair; “I think it barbarous and unwise.” “Hush, hush! dear friend.” “And does the cardinal approve of this step?” “Entirely.” “Then my confidence in him is entirely destroyed,” said Lothair.