Whether this slight prod of the mahout’s ankus was, or was not, intentional, it is not easy to say, but it took instant effect upon the Big Doctor.

“There are other pretty young girls in the neighbourhood besides Christian Lowry,” he said sharply.  “And maybe prettier!  I don’t think it would give us much trouble to find one that Larry Coppinger would be well satisfied with, and one that’s in the bosom of the Church, too!”

“I greatly deplore mixed marriages,” said Father Greer; permitting his eyes to meet those of Dr. Mangan.  “I had hoped that in the case of this young man beneficial influences might have been brought to bear—­”

“If you want to put a spoke in that wheel,” interrupted the Doctor with eagerness, “you’ll support his nomination.  I’ll undertake to say there won’t be much talk of mixed marriages then!”

Father Greer’s small eyes again rested for a second on the Doctor’s broad face, with its strong, overhanging brows and heavy under-jaw, and drew his own conclusions from the confident smile that showed the white teeth under the drooping, black moustache that had still scarcely a grey hair in it.

“I was thinking that might be what he was after!” thought Father Greer.  “Well, he’s a good warrant to play his hand well, and more unsuitable things have occurred before now.  Yet, didn’t I hear something—!” Even in thought Father Greer observed a studied mildness and moderation, and there were contingencies which might remain unformulated until they crystallised into certainty.

“I’ll think it over, Doctor,” he said.  “I’m inclined to your view, of the case, and I might be disposed to advocate the candidature of your nominee.  But,”—­here Father Greer sniffed several times, indicating that a humorous aspect of the case had occurred to him, “what will we do if he turns ‘sour-face,’ as they say, on us?”

This euphuism, which had been adopted by some of the more extreme of the Nationalist party to indicate members of the opposing communion, was received by Dr. Mangan as an apt and entertaining quotation on the part of his clergyman.

“No fear, no fear!” he said, laughing jovially, “but if you’ll allow me to say so, I think a good deal depends on this business going through.”

The Spirit of the Nation smiled also; it was evident to her that these ministers of hers were conscientiously intent on doing her pleasure, and, leaving them with confidence, she spread her wide wings and followed the broad stream of the river down the valley in the direction of Mount Music.