But George was frightened, for her feet were cold as marble, and her lips hot and parched, and he sat up a long time beside her, afraid lest her imprudence should have brought on a fever. Next morning she insisted against his will on getting up. She did not feel well and was very fanciful, astonishing him by the announcement that she wanted to go to church. The day being Sunday, the Oriental Bazaar was closed, and there was nothing for George to do but to gratify her desire. He wished, as in duty bound, to take her to the English church; but Nouna was not particular to a creed, and she had set her heart on going to the Madeleine. So, with some scruples of conscience, he took her to High Mass; and as she remained perfectly quiet and attentive during the entire service, he comforted himself with the reflection that, as what he had been taught to call the “errors of Rome” were matters of the deepest ignorance and indifference to her, it was hardly an ethical mistake to let her see religion in an attractive light. When they came out he asked her rather curiously what she thought of it. “Oh, I liked it very, very much; I shouldn’t mind going to church there every day,” she answered with enthusiasm. “Why,” said George, “the service isn’t much more beautiful than that at St. ----’s,” and he named an English ritualistic church to which he had twice taken her in London. “There is a difference,” she said thoughtfully. “Well, what is it?” Nouna considered a moment. “You know those friends of yours that you took me to see acting in a piece at Saint George’s Hall?” “Yes; well?” “And then I saw the same piece acted at the Court Theatre just before we left London?” “Yes.” “Well, the difference is just like that.” George laughed. “I’ve heard people say something like that before, Nouna.” “Isn’t it right, then?” “I don’t know, dear.” “George, may I be a Roman Catholic if I like?” “No, Nouna.” “Why not?” “You mustn’t choose a religion in a hurry, any more than you may a husband. In both cases, one ought to be enough for a lifetime; and if you once begin to change your mind about either, you never know when to stop.” “But I had my choice of a husband, and I didn’t of a religion; I had to take what was given me.” “You would never do for a Catholic, Nouna. They have to confess all their sins, even very little ones that you think nothing of.” “Well, that’s what you’re always wanting me to do.” “See then. You shall go to Mass every Sunday and then confess your sins to me, and you will be the very best of Catholics.”