He finished the Cardinal's portrait too; and the statesman not only paid for it with unusual liberality, but gave the artist what he called a little memento of the long hours they had spent together.

He opened one of the lockers in his study, and from a small drawer selected an ancient ring, in which was set a piece of crystal with a delicate intaglio of a figure of Victory.

He took Gouache's hand and slipped the ring upon his finger.

He had taken a singular liking to Anastase.
"Wear it as a, little souvenir of me," he said kindly.

"It is a Victory; you are a soldier now, so I pray that victory may go with you; and I give Victory herself into your hands." "And I," said Gouache, "will pray that it may be a symbol in my hand of the real victories you are to win." "Only a symbol," returned the Cardinal, thoughtfully.