As for
the poor Cardinal, he was helpless indeed.
Henceforward, there was to be no paltering with that dangerous
spirit of independence--was it not almost Gallicanism which
possessed the Old Catholic families of England? The supremacy of
the Vicar of Christ must be maintained at all hazards. Compared
with such an object, what were the claims of personal affection
and domestic peace? The Cardinal pleaded in vain; his lifelong
friendship with Dr.Errington was plucked up by the roots, and the
harmony of his private life was utterly destroyed. His own
household was turned against him. His favourite nephew, whom he
had placed among the Oblates under Manning's special care, left
the congregation and openly joined the party of Dr. Errington.
His secretary followed suit; but saddest of all was the case of
Monsignor Searle. Monsignor Searle, in the capacity of
confidential man of affairs, had dominated over the Cardinal in
private for years with the autocratic fidelity of a servant who
has grown indispensable. His devotion, in fact, seemed to have
taken the form of physical imitation, for he was hardly less
gigantic than his master. The two were inseparable; their huge
figures loomed together like neighbouring mountains; and on one
occasion, meeting them in the street, a gentleman congratulated
Wiseman on 'your Eminence's fine son'.
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