Father Steen could not resist the powerful personality of the Superior, strive though he might. The passionate look which for a few moments had changed the whole expression of his face disappeared, and his features resumed their accustomed impassive look. He was once more a Jesuit.
“I obey, your reverence.”
“That is all,” said the Superior. “Report to me at your earliest convenience. You may retire.”
With a slight inclination of the head the priest withdrew.
Monseigneur Ryder's power lay in his ability to sway and mould the actions of those with whom he associated. The secret of the power of the Order of Jesus was not altogether in its system, but in the selection of leaders. From the time of Loyola to the present time the Jesuits have been signally fortunate in their choice of leaders. A man like Father Ryder, by the force of a strong intellectual personality, gave life and vigor to a set of rules which would have been as nothing without this vivifying influence.
For some time the Superior sat in his luxurious room reviewing the events of the evening.
“So the Chancellor thinks it doubtful if I persuade Mademoiselle La Tour to enter the convent and take the veil,” he soliloquized. At length he laughed softly. He was recalling the look of disgust on the magistrate's face when he lost the game
