There was a great plan afoot of drawing American and English wealth
into the big Church-net through the medium of superstitious fear and
sentimental bigotry,--and an opposer and enemy like Aubrey Leigh,
physically handsome, with such powers of oratory as are only granted
to the very few, was capable of influencing women as well as men--
and women, as Gherardi well recognised, are the chief supporters of
the Papal system. Uneasily he thought of a certain wealthy American
heiress whom he had persuaded into thinking herself specially
favoured and watched over by the Virgin Mary, and who, overcome by
the strong imaginary consciousness of this heavenly protection, had
signed away in her will a million of pounds sterling to a particular
"shrine" in which he had the largest share of financial profit. Now,
suppose she should chance to come within the radius of Leigh's
attractive personality and teaching, and revoke this bequest? Deeply
incensed he sat considering, yet he was conscious enough of his own
impotency to persuade or move this man a jot.
"I am very sorry," he said at last without raising his eyes, and
carefully preserving an equable and mild tone of voice, "I am sorry
you are so harsh in your judgments, Mr.
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