The scabbard was already cast away.
When the young man had brought the four closely written sheets, dated from Westminster, the previous evening, Percy turned at once to the last paragraph before the usual Recommendations.
"Mr.Brand's late secretary, Mr.Phillips, whom your Eminence commended to me, has been to see me two or three times.

He is in a curious state.
He has no faith; yet, intellectually, he sees no hope anywhere but in the Catholic Church.

He has even begged for admission to the Order of Christ Crucified, which of course is impossible.

But there is no doubt he is sincere; otherwise he would have professed Catholicism.

I have introduced him to many Catholics in the hope that they may help him.