“When you say 'soon,' Eminence, do you mean that we may hope to see the Italians driven from Rome in our time?” enquired Madame de Lafere.
“They are on the verge of bankruptcy—for their sins,” the Cardinal answered. “When the crash comes—and it can't fail to come before many years—there will necessarily be a readjustment. I do not believe that the conscience of Christendom will again allow Peter to be deprived of his inheritance.”
“God hasten the good day,” said Monsignor Langshawe.
“If I can live to see Rome restored to the Pope, I shall die content, even though I cannot live to see France restored to the King,” said the old Frenchwoman.
“And I—even though I cannot live to see Britain restored to the Faith,” said the Monsignore.
The Duchessa smiled at Peter.
“What a hotbed of Ultramontanes and reactionaries you have fallen into,” she murmured.
“It is exhilarating,” said he, “to meet people who have convictions.”
“Even when you regard their convictions as erroneous?” she asked.
“Yes, even then,” he answered. “But I'm not sure I regard as erroneous the convictions I have heard expressed to-night.”