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           Daneknelt,pressedhislipstothering;overhisbenttawnyheadCardinalVittorio’sgazesoughtRalph’sface,scanneditmorecloselythaninmanyyears.Veryslightlyherelaxed;shehadnevertoldhim,then.Andhewouldn’tsuspect,ofcourse,whateveryonewhosawthemtogetherwouldinstantlysurmise.Notfather-son,ofcourse,butacloserelationshipoftheblood.PoorRalph!Hehadneverseenhimselfwalk,neverwatchedtheexpressionsonhisownface,nevercaughttheupwardflightofhisownlefteyebrow.TrulyGodwasgood,tomakemensoblind.

           "Sitdown.Theteaiscoming.So,youngman!Youwishtobeapriest,andhavesoughttheassistanceofCardinaldeBricassart?"

           "Yes,YourEminence."

           "Youhavechosenwisely.Underhiscareyouwillcometonoharm.Butyoulookalittlenervous,myson.Isitthestrangeness?"

           DanesmiledRalph’ssmile,perhapsminusconsciouscharm,butsomuchRalph’ssmileitcaughtatanold,tiredheartlikeapassingflickfrombarbedwire."I’moverwhelmed,YourEminence.Ihadn’trealizedquitehowimportantcardinalsare.IneverdreamedI’dbemetattheairport,orbehavingteawithyou."

           "Yes,itisunusual…Perhapsasourceoftrouble,Iseethat.Ah,hereisourtea!"Pleased,hewatcheditlaidout,liftedanadmonishingfinger."Ah,no!Ishallbe‘mother.’Howdoyoutakeyourtea,Dane?"

           "ThesameasRalph,"heanswered,blusheddeeply.