In her younger days Madame Worms-Clavelin had been thin and dark, and in such guise had not been unattractive to men. As time went on she became fat and fair, and in this guise she was again not unattractive to men. “Did you see my uncle yesterday?” “Yes. He was so sweet to me. How is he to-day?” “Tired, very tired. He gave me the papers.” “What papers?” “The papers referring to the candidatures for the six vacant sees. You are very anxious for Abbé Guitrel to be elected, are you not?” “My husband is anxious. Your uncle told me that the thing was settled.” “My uncle; you should not take any notice of what he says--he is a Minister and cannot know. People are always fooling him, and then he often says what he does not mean. Why didn’t you come to me?” With charming modesty Madame Worms-Clavelin replied in a low voice: “Well, I do come to you!” “And you are wise to do so,” replied the secretary-in-chief. “All the more so because the business is not going on as you wish, and it depends upon me whether it proceeds or not. My uncle told you, no doubt, that he was going to present the six applications to the Pope?” “Yes.” “Well, they have already been presented. I know that, for I sent them. I take a special interest in Church matters. My uncle is one of the old school; he does not understand the importance of religion, while I realize it thoroughly. Now this is how things stand: the six candidates have been presented to the Pope, and the Holy Father has only accepted four. As far as the other two are concerned, that is M. Guitrel and M. Morrue, he does not absolutely reject them, but he says he has not yet sufficient information concerning them.” Maurice Cheiral shook his head gravely. “He has not sufficient information! And when he gets more I do not know what he will say. Between ourselves, dear lady, Guitrel looks to me a bit of a rogue, and we cannot be too careful in choosing our bishops. The clergy is a force upon which a prudent Government should be able to rely; we are just beginning to realize that.” “You are quite right,” said Madame Clavelin. “On the other hand,” went on the secretary-in-chief, “your candidate seems learned, well read, and open-minded.” “Well?” asked Madame Worms-Clavelin, with a delightful smile. “It is difficult!” replied Cheiral.