Yet now even this
companionship was broken up. The relentless Provost here too
brought a sword. There were explosions and recriminations.
Monsignor Searle, finding that his power was slipping from him,
made scenes and protests, and at last was foolish enough to
accuse Manning of peculation to his face; after that it was clear
that his day was over; he was forced to slink snarling into the
background, while the Cardinal shuddered through all his
immensity, and wished many times that he were already dead.
Yet, he was not altogether without his consolations; Manning took
care to see to that. His piercing eye had detected the secret way
into the recesses of the Cardinal's heart--had discerned the core
of simple faith which underlay that jovial manner and that facile
talk. Others were content to laugh and chatter and transact their
business; Manning was more artistic. He watched his opportunity,
and then, when the moment came, touched with a deft finger the
chord of the Conversion of England. There was an immediate
response, and he struck the same chord again, and yet again. He
became the repository of the Cardinal's most intimate
aspirations. He alone sympathised and understood. 'If God gives
me strength to undertake a great wrestling-match with
infidelity,' Wiseman wrote, 'I shall owe it to him.'
But what he really found himself undertaking was a wrestling-
match with Dr.
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