"That I cannot say: although in my own mind there is very little doubt but that——However, these are the facts. I was so full of the case, that I narrated it at our morning conference as an instance of the fallibility of what—I think it was Your Holiness Who gave it the name—yes, it was,—as an instance of the fallibility of the Machine. I shall never forget the effect of my words upon Cardinal Mundo. It was most extraordinary. He said—I shall remember what he said as long as I live—he said 'My Lord Cardinal, you owe it to that man to propose him for the paparchy; yes you owe it!' He rather upset me. I replied that Your Holiness was not even in sacred orders. He answered 'Whose fault is that?' I may say that the point was a very keen one. No one could fail to perceive its relevancy. To use a vulgar expression, it touched the thing with a needle. The others did not help me at all; and I considered the matter for a few minutes. Mundo went on, 'If that man had a real Vocation, he will have persevered: if he has persevered, the twenty years or more of waiting will have purified——'"
"Pray do not quote Cardinal Mundo."
"Well, in short, I was irresistibly moved to propose Your Holiness——"
"And then, because no other candidate was forthcoming: because—We understand. You came to Us, found Us persistent——"
"Yes, Holiness."
"Well: shall we take a little stroll in the garden, and say some Office?"
Cardinal Courtleigh jumped. "I'm sure—if Your Holiness doesn't mind walking by the side of my bath-chair——"
"Oh, but We do. It is Our invariable custom to walk behind bath-chairs and push them."
"Indeed I could not for one moment permit——"