“It is not often I have such visitors,” she said. “It is ages and ages since I saw a clergyman except in Church.” “I think you are a stranger to these parts. I noticed you in the Temple for the first time yesterday.” “Yes; I live in Fairy Sky, and am renting this house from the Duke of Medona just for a little time. This is a pretty country.” “But nothing to your own. The only dark blot on the fair beauty of your country is its religion.” “I don’t know much about it.” “You are a follower of the Serpent, I believe?” She shook her head. “I was brought up to worship nothing--at least, to worship something that I couldn’t see. But that is very unsatisfactory, you know. Now--now, with you, there really is something behind that wondrous curtain, is there not?” How should he perceive the smile within those wondrous eyes, so shadowy, so bright, so tender, and so serious? “Believe me, the only true God.” “Is there any chance of ever really seeing Him?” “For men, yes; for women, not--not at present.” “I don’t see why it should not be--do you?” Marigold’s voice was very soft and persuasive, her eyes more so. “It is a canon of the Church,” he answered rigidly. Then, seeing her face, he added more unsteadily: “Laws are laws, Princess, much as at times we feel they might be broken.” A sigh he heard, and which, despite his narrow education, he also understood, escaped the coral lips and was her only answer. Again that dangerous stillness settled on the room, as once before in the Cathedral precincts. He looked across at her, too weak to look away. Marigold smiled. Why not? for he was there to play with, and ease the horrid aching of her heart. “It seems to me,” said he, “that I have met you previously. I feel as if I’d known you quite a lifetime.” “I too. I felt it in the Temple yesterday, and now again to-day.” “And you, being young, should have the better memory.” But Marigold’s lips had almost pouted, and she shook her head. “I should like _you_ to remember where it was you first saw _me_.” “I cannot think. Only some weeks ago, I met a girl who struck me as being rather like you.” “But not very?” “No, indeed. Her prettiness was her nearest qualification. But her hair was very tousled, and her general appearance most untidy.” “And I am the essence of neatness,” and Marigold laughed. “An absolute necessity to distinguished beauty.” “You think so?” “I am sure of it. Are you interested at all in charitable work, Princess?” “Well, occasionally. But in Fairy Sky there were so many beggars you didn’t know where to begin and where to stop. They seem to be better organised here. Now, your charity dinners----” “You have heard of them?” “Oh yes. Every one has praised them to me. Should I give you a subscription? I should simply love to.” “I--they are quite a private charity?” “I should like to take part in a private charity. When you give to public ones, it all goes in big salaries to the wrong people.”