“I don’t think those who are behind him want him to succeed, if you are speaking of Don Juan.”
“But whom do you mean? Who are behind him?” asked the bewildered Stuart.
The South American gave him a doubtful glance.
“You’re a Catholic, aren’t you?”
“No,” said Alistair.
“Half a one, I suspect. All you people cling together, I notice. Decadents, Legitimists, or whatever you call yourselves, it comes to much the same thing. I haven’t watched you all this time for nothing.”
“I am not a Christian at all,” said Alistair.
“What has that got to do with it? That man Des Louvres is about as much of a Christian as this table, but he is a very good son of the Church—one of the best agents they have got, I fancy.”
“I can assure you that you are mistaken if you think I have any Catholic sympathies,” Alistair protested emphatically. “I am a Pagan, pure and simple.”
“So is the Roman Church, according to the Protestants,” sneered Mendes. “But I am quite ready to take your word for it. I don’t suppose Des Louvres has told you any more than he was obliged to.”