“For myself,” said the Cardinal slowly, “I think there is not much time left us!  I feel a premonition of Divine wrath threatening the world, and when I study the aspect of the times and see the pride, licentiousness, and wealth-worship of men, I cannot but think the days are drawing near when our Master will demand of us account of our service.  It is just the same as in the case of the individual wrong-doer, when it seems as if punishment were again and again retarded, and mercy shown,—­yet if all benefits, blessings and warnings are unheeded, then at last the bolt falls suddenly and with terrific effect.  So with nations—­so with churches—­so with the world!”

His voice grew feeble, and his eyes were clouded with pain.

“You are fatigued,” said Leigh gently, “And I ought not to have stayed so long.  I will bid you farewell now.  If I am in Rome when you are there, I trust you will permit me to pay my respects to you?”

“It will be a pleasure to see you, my son,” answered the Cardinal, pressing his hand and courteously preventing him from making the formal genuflection, “And let me add that it will help me very much to hear from you what progress you make in your intention of working for Christ.  For,—­when you speak to the people as a teacher, it is in His name, is it not?”

“In His name, and I pray in His spirit,” said Leigh, “But not through any church.”

The Cardinal sighed, but said no more, and Leigh turned to Angela.

“Good-bye,” he said, “I may come and see the picture in Rome?”

“You may indeed,” and Angela gave him her hand in frank friendliness, “I shall feel the necessity of your criticism and the value of your opinion.”

He looked at her intently for a moment.

“Be of good courage,” he then said in a low tone, “’Work out your own salvation’, it is the only way!  Fulfil the expression of your whole heart and soul and mind, and never heed what opposing forces may do to hinder you.  You are so clear-brained, so spiritually organised, that I cannot imagine your doing anything that shall not create a power for good.  You are sometimes inclined to be afraid of the largeness of your own conceptions in the picture you are dreaming of,—­I can see that,—­but do not fear!  The higher influences are with you and in you;—­give yourself up to them with absolute confidence!  Good-bye—­God bless you!” He stooped and kissed her hand,—­then left the room.

Angela looked after him, and a half sigh escaped her lips unconsciously.  The Cardinal watched her with rather a troubled look.  After a little silence he said,

“You must pardon me, my child, if I seemed over hasty in my judgment of your work . . .”

“Dearest uncle, do not speak of it!” exclaimed Angela, “You were pained and sorry to see such a ‘servant of Christ’ as the type I chose,—­you could not help expressing your feeling—­it was natural . . .”