He had been ordained comparatively late in life.
Thirdly there was the Archbishop's secretary--Monsignor Allet--a rising man and an excellent diplomatist.
There were two or three more, but Father Jervis was content with scarcely more than recounting their names.

The King's brother, and the heir-presumptive, was something of a recluse and seldom appeared at court.

Of the German Emperor, Monsignor had already learned, it seemed, sufficient.
In the middle of these instructions, the door suddenly opened, and an ecclesiastic hurried in with outstretched hands, and apologies in a torrent of Latin.
("Monsignor Allet," whispered Father Jervis, as he appeared.) Monsignor Masterman stood bewildered.

The dilemma had not occurred to him; but Father Jervis, it seemed, was prepared.

He said a rapid sentence to the secretary, who turned, bowing, and immediately began in English without the trace of any accent.
"I perfectly understand--perfectly indeed.