God knows why he relented; I think it may have been that he had somewhat of a fancy for me, and remembered how I had pleased him and tried to serve him.

And when he spoke, it was very gently indeed.
"Mr.Mallock," he said, "those are very brave words.

But I think they are not worthy of a man of your parts.

For consider; were you not sent here by the Holy Father to help a poor sinner who had need of it?
And is it Catholic charity to leave the sinner because of his sins ?" I said nothing to that; for I was all confounded at his mildness.

I suppose I had braced myself for something very different.
"It is true I am not a Catholic; but were you not sent here, in answer to my entreaty, that you might help to make it easy for me to become one?
Is it apostolic, then, to run away so soon--" "If Your Majesty," I burst out, "would but shew some signs--" He lifted his eyebrows at that.
"Signs! In these days ?" he said.