"My dear child," murmured the Archbishop; there was emotion in his voice, and putting out his hand he laid it upon hers.
She drew herself gently from the contact.
"Only if he wishes it," she said.
"He will not wish it."
"Then he has my word."
"Your life contains other and holier vows than that, my child."
She did not seem to think so. "Father," she said, "this is the man I love!"
"That I realize," he replied gravely. "The question is which do you love best,—him or the Church?"
Jenifer opened her eyes in a limpid and childlike wonderment. How could he ask a question the answer to which was so obvious? "Why, him!" she cried; "there is no possible comparison!"
The Archbishop was deeply shocked as well as nonplussed at such an answer coming from his daughter; and meanwhile with clear sincerity of speech she went on—