Here was this silly old man, talking in his sleep, babbling of the Cross, and the inner life and the forgiveness of sins, exactly as his predecessors had talked two thousand years before.

Well, it was only one sign more that Rome had lost not only its power, but its common sense as well.

It was really time that something should be done.
* * * * * And this was the man, thought Percy, _Papa Angelicus_, whom he was to see in a minute or two.
The Cardinal put his hand on the priest's knee as the door opened, and a purple prelate appeared, bowing.
"Only this," he said.

"Be absolutely frank." Percy stood up, trembling.

Then he followed his patron towards the inner door.
IV A white figure sat in the green gloom, beside a great writing-table, three or four yards away, but with the chair wheeled round to face the door by which the two entered.