done.  But it cannot be forgotten that Your Eminence is closely connected with all these regrettable events, and as we have no actual proof of the authenticity of the miracle you are alleged to have performed at Rouen, the Holy Father is reluctantly compelled to leave that open to doubt.  The Archbishop of Rouen very strenuously denies the honesty of the mother of the child supposed to be healed by you, and states that she has not attended Mass or availed herself of any of the Sacraments for many years.  We are willing to admit that Your Eminence may personally have been unsuspectingly made party to a fraud,—­but this does not free you from the other charges, (notably that of exonerating the late Abbe Vergniaud,) of which you stand arraigned.  Remembering, however, the high repute enjoyed by Your Eminence throughout your career, and taking into kindly consideration your increasing age and failing health, the Holy Father commissions me to say that all these grievous backslidings on your part shall be freely pardoned if you will,—­Firstly,—­repudiate all connection with your niece, Angela Sovrani, and hold no further communication with her or her father Prince Sovrani,—­Secondly,—­that you will break off your acquaintance with the socialist Aubrey Leigh and his companion Sylvie Hermenstein, the renegade from the Church of her fathers,—­ and Thirdly,—­that you will sever yourself at once and forever from the boy you have taken under your protection.  This last clause is the most important in the opinion of His Holiness.  These three things being done, you will be permitted to return to your diocese, and pursue the usual round of your duties there to the end.  Failing to fulfil the Holy Father’s commands, the alternative is that you be deprived of your Cardinal’s hat and your diocese together.

“It is with considerable pain that I undertake the transcribing of the commands of the Holy Father, and I much desired Monsignor Gherardi to follow you to London and lay these matters before you privately, with all the personal kindness which his friendship for you makes possible, but I regret to say, and you will no doubt regret to learn, that he has been smitten with dangerous illness and fever, which for the time being prevents his attention to duty.  Trusting to hear from you with all possible speed that Your Eminence is in readiness to obey the Holy Father’s paternal wish and high command, I am,

“Your Eminence’s obedient servant in Christ,

“Lorenzo Moretti.”

The Cardinal read this letter through once—­twice—­then the paper dropped from his hands.

“My God, my God! why hast Thou forsaken me!” he murmured.  “What have I done in these few months!  What must I do!”

A light touch on his arm roused him.  Manuel confronted him.

“Why are you sorrowful, dear friend?  Have you sad news?”

“Yes, my child!  Sad news indeed!  I am commanded by the Pope to give up all I have in the world!  If it were to give to my Master Christ I would give it gladly,—­but to the Church—­I cannot!”