,,the ,,three ,,cities ,,rome ,,by ,,emile ,,zola ,,translated ,,by ,,ernest ,a4 ,,vizetelly ,,part ,,iv ,x ,,in his anxiety to bring things to a finish1 ,pierre wished to begin his campaign on the very next day4 ,but on whom should he first call if he were to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceited ecclesiastical world8 ,the question greatly perplexed him2 however1 on opening his door that morning he luckily perceived ,don ,vigilio in the passage1 and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside4 ,he realised that this thin little man with the saffron face1 who always trembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated1 timorous discretion1 was in reality well informed1 mixed up in everything4 ,at one period it had seemed to ,pierre that the secretary purposely avoided him1 doubtless for fear of compromising himself2 but recently ,don ,vigilio had proved less unsociable1 as though he were not far from sharing the impatience which must be consuming the young ,frenchman amidst his long enforced inactivity4 ,and so1 on this occasion1 he did not seek to avoid the chat on which ,pierre was bent4 ,i must apologise1 said the latter1 for asking you in here when things are in such disorder4 ,but ,i have just received some more linen and some winter clothing from ,paris4 ,i came1 you know1 with just a little valise1 meaning to stay for a fortnight1 and yet ,i've now been here for nearly three months1 and am no more advanced than ,i was on the morning of my arrival4 ,don ,vigilio nodded4 ,yes1 yes1 ,i know1 said he4 ,thereupon ,pierre explained to him that ,monsignor ,nani had informed him1 through the ,contessina1 that he now ought to act and see everybody for the defence of his book4 ,but he was much embarrassed1 as he did not know in what order to make his visits so that they might benefit him4 ,for instance1 ought he to call in the first place on ,monsignor ,fornaro1 the _/consultore_/ selected to report on his book1 and whose name had been given him8 ,ah6 exclaimed ,don ,vigilio1 quivering2 has ,monsignor ,nani gone as far as that--given you the reporter's name8 ,that's even more than ,i expected4 ,then1 forgetting his prudence1 yielding to his secret interest in the affair1 he resumed3 ,no1 no2 don't begin with ,monsignor ,fornaro4 ,your first visit should be a very humble one to the ,prefect of the ,congregation of the ,index--his ,eminence ,cardinal ,sanguinetti2 for he would never forgive you for having offered your first homage to another should he some day hear of it4 ,and1 after a pause1 ,don ,vigilio added1 in a low voice1 amidst a faint1 feverish shiver3 ,and he _/would_/ hear of it2 everything becomes known4 ,again he hesitated1 and then1 as if yielding to sudden1 sympathetic courage1 he took hold of the young ,frenchman's hands4 ,i swear to you1 my dear ,monsieur ,froment1 he said1 that ,i should be very happy to help you1 for you are a man of simple soul1 and ,i really begin to feel worried for you4 ,but you must not ask me for impossibilities4 ,ah6 if you only knew--if ,i could only tell you of all the perils which surround us6 ,however1 ,i think ,i can repeat to you that you must in no wise rely on my patron1 his ,eminence ,cardinal ,boccanera4 ,he has expressed absolute disapproval of your book in my presence on several occasions4 ,only he is a saint1 a most worthy1 honourable man2 and1 though he won't defend you1 he won't attack you--he will remain neutral out of regard for his niece1 whom he loves so dearly1 and who protects you4 ,so1 when you see him1 don't plead your cause2 it would be of no avail1 and might even irritate him4 ,pierre was not particularly distressed by this news1 for at his first interview with the ,cardinal1 and on the few subsequent occasions when he had respectfully visited him1 he had fully understood that his ,eminence would never be other than an adversary4 ,well1 said he1 ,i will wait on him to thank him for his neutrality4 ,but at this all ,don ,vigilio's terrors returned4 ,no1 no1 don't do that2 he would perhaps realise that ,i have spoken to you1 and then what a disaster--my position would be compromised4 ,i've said nothing1 nothing6 ,see the cardinals to begin with1 see all the cardinals4 ,let it be understood between us that ,i've said nothing more4 ,and1 on that occasion at any rate1 ,don ,vigilio would speak no further1 but left the room shuddering and darting fiery1 suspicious glances on either side of the corridor4 ,pierre at once went out to call on ,cardinal ,sanguinetti4 ,it was ten o'clock1 and there was a chance that he might find him at home4 ,this cardinal resided on the first floor of a little palazzo in a dark1 narrow street near ,san ,luigi dei ,francesi499 ,there was here none of the giant ruin full of princely and melancholy grandeur amidst which ,cardinal ,boccanera so stubbornly remained4 ,the old regulation gala suite of rooms had been cut down just like the number of servants4 ,there was no throne-room1 no red hat hanging under a _/baldacchino_/1 no arm-chair turned to the wall pending a visit from the ,pope4 ,a couple of apartments served as ante-rooms1 and then came a _/salon_/ where the ,cardinal received2 and there was no luxury1 indeed scarcely any comfort2 the furniture was of mahogany1 dating from the empire period1 and the hangings and carpets were dusty and faded by long use4 ,moreover1 ,pierre had to wait a long time for admittance1 and when a servant1 leisurely putting on his jacket1 at last set the door ajar1 it was only to say that his ,eminence had been away at ,frascati since the previous day4 99 ,this is the ,french church of ,rome1 and is under the protection of the ,french ,government4--,trans4 ,pierre then remembered that ,cardinal ,sanguinetti was one of the suburban bishops4 ,at his see of ,frascati he had a villa where he occasionally spent a few days whenever a desire for rest or some political motive impelled him to do so4 ,and will his ,eminence soon return8 ,pierre inquired4 ,ah6 we don't know4 ,his ,eminence is poorly1 and expressly desired us to send nobody to worry him4 ,when ,pierre reached the street again he felt quite bewildered by this disappointment4 ,at first he wondered whether he had not better call on ,monsignor ,fornaro without more ado1 but he recollected ,don ,vigilio's advice to see the cardinals first of all1 and1 an inspiration coming to him1 he resolved that his next visit should be for ,cardinal ,sarno1 whose acquaintance he had eventually made at ,donna ,serafina's ,mondays4 ,in spite of ,cardinal ,sarno's voluntary self-effacement1 people looked upon him as one of the most powerful and redoubtable members of the ,sacred ,college1 albeit his nephew ,narcisse ,habert declared that he knew no man who showed more obtuseness in matters which did not pertain to his habitual occupations4 ,at all events1 ,pierre thought that the ,cardinal1 although not a member of the ,congregation of the ,index1 might well give him some good advice1 and possibly bring his great influence to bear on his colleagues4 ,the young man straightway betook himself to the ,palace of the ,propaganda1 where he knew he would find the ,cardinal4 ,this palace1 which is seen from the ,piazza di ,spagna1 is a bare1 massive corner pile between two streets4 ,and ,pierre1 hampered by his faulty ,italian1 quite lost himself in it1 climbing to floors whence he had to descend again1 and finding himself in a perfect labyrinth of stairs1 passages1 and halls4 ,at last he luckily came across the ,cardinal's secretary1 an amiable young priest1 whom he had already seen at the ,boccanera mansion4 ,why1 yes1 said the secretary1 ,i think that his ,eminence will receive you4 ,you did well to come at this hour1 for he is always here of a morning4 ,kindly follow me1 if you please4 ,then came a fresh journey4 ,cardinal ,sarno1 long a ,secretary of the ,propaganda1 now presided over the commission which controlled the organisation of worship in those countries of ,europe1 ,africa1 ,america1 and ,oceanica where ,catholicism had lately gained a footing2 and he thus had a private room of his own with special officers and assistants1 reigning there with the ultra-methodical habits of a functionary who had grown old in his arm-chair1 closely surrounded by nests of drawers1 and knowing nothing of the world save the usual sights of the street below his window4 ,the secretary left ,pierre on a bench at the end of a dark passage1 which was lighted by gas even in full daylight4 ,and quite a quarter of an hour went by before he returned with his eager1 affable air4 ,his ,eminence is conferring with some missionaries who are about to leave ,rome1 he said2 but it will soon be over1 and he told me to take you to his room1 where you can wait for him4 ,as soon as ,pierre was alone in the ,cardinal's sanctum he examined it with curiosity4 ,fairly spacious1 but in no wise luxurious1 it had green paper on its walls1 and its furniture was of black wood and green damask4 ,from two windows overlooking a narrow side street a mournful light reached the dark wall-paper and faded carpets4 ,there were a couple of pier tables and a plain black writing-table1 which stood near one window1 its worn mole-skin covering littered with all sorts of papers4 ,pierre drew near to it for a moment1 and glanced at the arm-chair with damaged1 sunken seat1 the screen which sheltered it from draughts1 and the old inkstand splotched with ink4 ,and then1 in the lifeless and oppressive atmosphere1 the disquieting silence1 which only the low rumbles from the street disturbed1 he began to grow impatient4 ,however1 whilst he was softly walking up and down he suddenly espied a map affixed to one wall1 and the sight of it filled him with such absorbing thoughts that he soon forgot everything else4 ,it was a coloured map of the world1 the different tints indicating whether the territories belonged to victorious ,catholicism or whether ,catholicism was still warring there against unbelief2 these last countries being classified as vicariates or prefectures1 according to the general principles of organisation4 ,and the whole was a graphic presentment of the long efforts of ,catholicism in striving for the universal dominion which it has sought so unremittingly since its earliest hour4 ,god has given the world to ,his ,church1 but it is needful that she should secure possession of it since error so stubbornly abides4 ,from this has sprung the eternal battle1 the fight which is carried on1 even in our days1 to win nations over from other religions1 as it was in the days when the ,apostles quitted ,judaea to spread abroad the tidings of the ,gospel4 ,during the middle ages the great task was to organise conquered ,europe1 and this was too absorbing an enterprise to allow of any attempt at reconciliation with the dissident churches of the ,east4 ,then the ,reformation burst forth1 schism was added to schism1 and the ,protestant half of ,europe had to be reconquered as well as all the orthodox ,east4 ,war-like ardour1 however1 awoke at the discovery of the ,new ,world4 ,rome was ambitious of securing that other side of the earth1 and missions were organised for the subjection of races of which nobody had known anything the day before1 but which ,god had1 nevertheless1 given to ,his ,church1 like all the others4 ,and by degrees the two great divisions of ,christianity were formed1 on one hand the ,catholic nations1 those where the faith simply had to be kept up1 and which the ,secretariate of ,state installed at the ,vatican guided with sovereign authority1 and on the other the schismatical or pagan nations which were to be brought back to the fold or converted1 and over which the ,congregation of the ,propaganda sought to reign4 ,then this ,congregation had been obliged to divide itself into two branches in order to facilitate its work--the ,oriental branch1 which dealt with the dissident sects of the ,east1 and the ,latin branch1 whose authority extended over all the other lands of mission3 the two forming a vast organisation--a huge1 strong1 closely meshed net cast over the whole world in order that not a single soul might escape4 ,it was in presence of that map that ,pierre for the first time became clearly conscious of the mechanism which for centuries had been working to bring about the absorption of humanity4 ,the ,propaganda1 richly dowered by the popes1 and disposing of a considerable revenue1 appeared to him like a separate force1 a papacy within the papacy1 and he well understood that the ,prefect of the ,congregation should be called the ,red ,pope1 for how limitless were the powers of that man of conquest and domination1 whose hands stretched from one to the other end of the earth4 ,allowing that the ,cardinal ,secretary held ,europe1 that diminutive portion of the globe1 did not he1 the ,prefect1 hold all the rest--the infinity of space1 the distant countries as yet almost unknown8 ,besides1 statistics showed that ,rome's uncontested dominion was limited to #bjj millions of ,apostolic and ,roman ,catholics2 whereas the schismatics of the ,east and the ,reformation1 if added together1 already exceeded that number1 and how small became the minority of the true believers when1 besides the schismatics1 one brought into line the #ajjj millions of infidels who yet remained to be converted4 ,the figures struck ,pierre with a force which made him shudder4 ,what6 there were #e million ,jews1 nearly #bjj million ,mahommedans1 more than #gjj million ,brahmanists and ,buddhists1 without counting another #ajj million pagans of divers creeds1 the whole making #ajjj millions1 and against these the ,christians could marshal barely more than #djj millions1 who were divided among themselves1 ever in conflict1 one half with ,rome and the other half against her899 ,was it possible that in #ahjj years ,christianity had not proved victorious over even one-third of mankind1 and that ,rome1 the eternal and all-powerful1 only counted a sixth part of the nations among her subjects8 ,only one soul saved out of every six--how fearful was the disproportion6 ,however1 the map spoke with brutal eloquence3 the red-tinted empire of ,rome was but a speck when compared with the yellow-hued empire of the other gods--the endless countries which the ,propaganda still had to conquer4 ,and the question arose3 ,how many centuries must elapse before the promises of the ,christ were realised1 before the whole world were gained to ,christianity1 before religious society spread over secular society1 and there remained but one kingdom and one belief8 ,and in presence of this question1 in presence of the prodigious labour yet to be accomplished1 how great was one's astonishment when one thought of ,rome's tranquil serenity1 her patient stubbornness1 which has never known doubt or weariness1 her bishops and ministers toiling without cessation in the conviction that she alone will some day be the mistress of the world6 99 ,some readers may question certain of the figures given by ,m4 ,zola1 but it must be remembered that all such calculations 7even those of the best authorities7 are largely guesswork4 ,i myself think that there are more than #e million ,jews1 and more than #bjj millions of ,mahommedans1 but ,i regard the alleged number of ,brahmanists and ,buddhists as exaggerated4 ,on the other hand1 some statistical tables specify #hj millions of ,confucianists1 of whom ,m4 ,zola makes no separate mention4 ,however1 as regards the number of ,christians in the world1 the figures given above are1 within a few millions1 probably accurate4--,trans4 ,narcisse had told ,pierre how carefully the embassies at ,rome watched the doings of the ,propaganda1 for the missions were often the instruments of one or another nation1 and exercised decisive influence in far-away lands4 ,and so there was a continual struggle1 in which the ,congregation did all it could to favour the missionaries of ,italy and her allies4 ,it had always been jealous of its ,french rival1 ,l',oeuvre de la ,propagation de la ,foi1 installed at ,lyons1 which is as wealthy in money as itself1 and richer in men of energy and courage4 ,however1 not content with levelling tribute on this ,french association1 the ,propaganda thwarted it1 sacrificed it on every occasion when it had reason to think it might achieve a victory4 ,not once or twice1 but over and over again had the ,french missionaries1 the ,french orders1 been driven from the scenes of their labours to make way for ,italians or ,germans4 ,and ,pierre1 standing in that mournful1 dusty room1 which the sunlight never brightened1 pictured the secret hot-bed of political intrigue masked by the civilising ardour of faith4 ,again he shuddered as one shudders when monstrous1 terrifying things are brought home to one4 ,and might not the most sensible be overcome8 ,might not the bravest be dismayed by the thought of that universal engine of conquest and domination1 which worked with the stubbornness of eternity1 not merely content with the gain of souls1 but ever seeking to ensure its future sovereignty over the whole of corporeal humanity1 and--pending the time when it might rule the nations itself--disposing of them1 handing them over to the charge of this or that temporary master1 in accordance with its good pleasure4 ,and then1 too1 what a prodigious dream6 ,rome smiling and tranquilly awaiting the day when she will have united ,christians1 ,mahommedans1 ,brahmanists1 and ,buddhists into one sole nation1 of whom she will be both the spiritual and the temporal queen6 ,however1 a sound of coughing made ,pierre turn1 and he started on perceiving ,cardinal ,sarno1 whom he had not heard enter4 ,standing in front of that map1 he felt like one caught in the act of prying into a secret1 and a deep flush overspread his face4 ,the ,cardinal1 however1 after looking at him fixedly with his dim eyes1 went to his writing-table1 and let himself drop into the arm-chair without saying a word4 ,with a gesture he dispensed ,pierre of the duty of kissing his ring4 ,i desired to offer my homage to your ,eminence1 said the young man4 ,is your ,eminence unwell8 ,no1 no1 it's nothing but a dreadful cold which ,i can't get rid of4 ,and then1 too1 ,i have so many things to attend to just now4 ,pierre looked at the ,cardinal as he appeared in the livid light from the window1 puny1 lopsided1 with the left shoulder higher than the right1 and not a sign of life on his worn and ashen countenance4 ,the young priest was reminded of one of his uncles1 who1 after thirty years spent in the offices of a ,french public department1 displayed the same lifeless glance1 parchment-like skin1 and weary hebetation4 ,was it possible that this withered old man1 so lost in his black cassock with red edging1 was really one of the masters of the world1 with the map of ,christendom so deeply stamped on his mind1 albeit he had never left ,rome1 that the ,prefect of the ,propaganda did not take a decision without asking his opinion8 ,sit down1 ,monsieur l',abbe1 said the ,cardinal4 ,so you have come to see me--you have something to ask of me6 ,and1 whilst disposing himself to listen1 he stretched out his thin bony hands to finger the documents heaped up before him1 glancing at each of them like some general1 some strategist1 profoundly versed in the science of his profession1 who1 although his army is far away1 nevertheless directs it to victory from his private room1 never for a moment allowing it to escape his mind4 ,pierre was somewhat embarrassed by such a plain enunciation of the interested object of his visit2 still1 he decided to go to the point4 ,yes1 indeed1 he answered1 it is a liberty ,i have taken to come and appeal to your ,eminence's wisdom for advice4 ,your ,eminence is aware that ,i am in ,rome for the purpose of defending a book of mine1 and ,i should be grateful if your ,eminence would help and guide me4 ,then he gave a brief account of the present position of the affair1 and began to plead his cause2 but as he continued speaking he noticed that the ,cardinal gave him very little attention1 as though indeed he were thinking of something else1 and failed to understand4 ,ah6 yes1 the great man at last muttered1 you have written a book4 ,there was some question of it at ,donna ,serafina's one evening4 ,but a priest ought not to write2 it is a mistake for him to do so4 ,what is the good of it8 ,and the ,congregation of the ,index must certainly be in the right if it is prosecuting your book4 ,at all events1 what can ,i do8 ,i don't belong to the ,congregation1 and ,i know nothing1 nothing about the matter4 ,pierre1 pained at finding him so listless and indifferent1 went on trying to enlighten and move him4 ,but he realised that this man's mind1 so far-reaching and penetrating in the field in which it had worked for forty years1 closed up as soon as one sought to divert it from its specialty4 ,it was neither an inquisitive nor a supple mind4 ,all trace of life faded from the ,cardinal's eyes1 and his entire countenance assumed an expression of mournful imbecility4 ,i know nothing1 nothing1 he repeated1 and ,i never recommend anybody4 ,however1 at last he made an effort3 ,but ,nani is mixed up in this1 said he4 ,what does ,nani advise you to do8 ,monsignor ,nani has been kind enough to reveal to me that the reporter is ,monsignor ,fornaro1 and advises me to see him4 ,at this ,cardinal ,sarno seemed surprised and somewhat roused4 ,a little light returned to his eyes4 ,ah6 really1 he rejoined1 ah6 really-- ,well1 if ,nani has done that he must have some idea4 ,go and see ,monsignor ,fornaro4 ,then1 after rising and dismissing his visitor1 who was compelled to thank him1 bowing deeply1 he resumed his seat1 and a moment later the only sound in the lifeless room was that of his bony fingers turning over the documents before him4 ,pierre1 in all docility1 followed the advice given him1 and immediately betook himself to the ,piazza ,navona1 where1 however1 he learnt from one of ,monsignor ,fornaro's servants that the prelate had just gone out1 and that to find him at home it was necessary to call in the morning at ten o'clock4 ,accordingly it was only on the following day that ,pierre was able to obtain an interview4 ,he had previously made inquiries and knew what was necessary concerning ,monsignor ,fornaro4 ,born at ,naples1 he had there begun his studies under the ,barnabites1 had finished them at the ,seminario ,romano1 and had subsequently1 for many years1 been a professor at the ,university ,gregoriana4 ,nowadays ,consultor to several ,congregations and a ,canon of ,santa ,maria ,maggiore1 he placed his immediate ambition in a ,canonry at ,st4 ,peter's1 and harboured the dream of some day becoming ,secretary of the ,consistorial ,congregation1 a post conducting to the cardinalate4 ,a theologian of remarkable ability1 ,monsignor ,fornaro incurred no other reproach than that of occasionally sacrificing to literature by contributing articles1 which he carefully abstained from signing1 to certain religious reviews4 ,he was also said to be very worldly4 ,pierre was received as soon as he had sent in his card1 and perhaps he would have fancied that his visit was expected had not an appearance of sincere surprise1 blended with a little anxiety1 marked his reception4 ,monsieur l',abbe ,froment1 ,monsieur l',abbe ,froment1 repeated the prelate1 looking at the card which he still held4 ,kindly step in--,i was about to forbid my door1 for ,i have some urgent work to attend to4 ,but no matter1 sit down4 ,pierre1 however1 remained standing1 quite charmed by the blooming appearance of this tall1 strong1 handsome man who1 although five and forty years of age1 was quite fresh and rosy1 with moist lips1 caressing eyes1 and scarcely a grey hair among his curly locks4 ,nobody more fascinating and decorative could be found among the whole ,roman prelacy4 ,careful of his person undoubtedly1 and aiming at a simple elegance1 he looked really superb in his black cassock with violet collar4 ,and around him the spacious room where he received his visitors1 gaily lighted as it was by two large windows facing the ,piazza ,navona1 and furnished with a taste nowadays seldom met with among the ,roman clergy1 diffused a pleasant odour and formed a setting instinct with kindly cheerfulness4 ,pray sit down1 ,monsieur l',abbe ,froment1 he resumed1 and tell me to what ,i am indebted for the honour of your visit4 ,he had already recovered his self-possession and assumed a _/naif_/1 purely obliging air2 and ,pierre1 though the question was only natural1 and he ought to have foreseen it1 suddenly felt greatly embarrassed1 more embarrassed indeed than in ,cardinal ,sarno's presence4 ,should he go to the point at once1 confess the delicate motive of his visit8 ,a moment's reflection showed him that this would be the best and worthier course4 ,dear me1 ,monseigneur1 he replied1 ,i know very well that the step ,i have taken in calling on you is not usually taken1 but it has been advised me1 and it has seemed to me that among honest folks there can never be any harm in seeking in all good faith to elucidate the truth4 ,what is it1 what is it1 then8 asked the prelate with an expression of perfect candour1 and still continuing to smile4 ,well1 simply this4 ,i have learnt that the ,congregation of the ,index has handed you my book ',new ,rome1' and appointed you to examine it2 and ,i have ventured to present myself before you in case you should have any explanations to ask of me4 ,but ,monsignor ,fornaro seemed unwilling to hear any more4 ,he had carried both hands to his head and drawn back1 albeit still courteous4 ,no1 no1 said he1 don't tell me that1 don't continue1 you would grieve me dreadfully4 ,let us say1 if you like1 that you have been deceived1 for nothing ought to be known1 in fact nothing is known1 either by others or myself4 ,i pray you1 do not let us talk of such matters4 ,pierre1 however1 had fortunately remarked what a decisive effect was produced when he had occasion to mention the name of the ,assessor of the ,holy ,office4 ,so it occurred to him to reply3 ,i most certainly do not desire to give you the slightest cause for embarrassment1 ,monseigneur1 and ,i repeat to you that ,i would never have ventured to importune you if ,monsignor ,nani himself had not acquainted me with your name and address4 ,this time the effect was immediate1 though ,monsignor ,fornaro1 with that easy grace which he introduced into all things1 made some ceremony about surrendering4 ,he began by a demurrer1 speaking archly with subtle shades of expression4 ,what6 is ,monsignor ,nani the tattler6 ,but ,i shall scold him1 ,i shall get angry with him6 ,and what does he know8 ,he doesn't belong to the ,congregation2 he may have been led into error4 ,you must tell him that he has made a mistake1 and that ,i have nothing at all to do with your affair4 ,that will teach him not to reveal needful secrets which everybody respects6 ,then1 in a pleasant way1 with winning glance and flowery lips1 he went on3 ,come1 since ,monsignor ,nani desires it1 ,i am willing to chat with you for a moment1 my dear ,monsieur ,froment1 but on condition that you shall know nothing of my report or of what may have been said or done at the ,congregation4 ,pierre in his turn smiled1 admiring how easy things became when forms were respected and appearances saved4 ,and once again he began to explain his case1 the profound astonishment into which the prosecution of his book had thrown him1 and his ignorance of the objections which were taken to it1 and for which he had vainly sought a cause4 ,really1 really1 repeated the prelate1 quite amazed at so much innocence4 ,the ,congregation is a tribunal1 and can only act when a case is brought before it4 ,proceedings have been taken against your book simply because it has been denounced4 ,yes1 ,i know1 denounced4 ,of course4 ,complaint was laid by three ,french bishops1 whose names you will allow me to keep secret1 and it consequently became necessary for the ,congregation to examine the incriminated work4 ,pierre looked at him quite scared4 ,denounced by three bishops8 ,why8 ,with what object8 ,then he thought of his protector4 ,but ,cardinal ,bergerot1 said he1 wrote me a letter of approval1 which ,i placed at the beginning of my work as a preface4 ,ought not a guarantee like that to have been sufficient for the ,french episcopacy8 ,monsignor ,fornaro wagged his head in a knowing way before making up his mind to reply3 ,ah6 yes1 no doubt1 his ,eminence's letter1 a very beautiful letter4 ,i think1 however1 that it would have been much better if he had not written it1 both for himself and for you especially4 ,then as the priest1 whose surprise was increasing1 opened his mouth to urge him to explain himself1 he went on3 ,no1 no1 ,i know nothing1 ,i say nothing4 ,his ,eminence ,cardinal ,bergerot is a saintly man whom everybody venerates1 and if it were possible for him to sin it would only be through pure goodness of heart4 ,silence fell4 ,pierre could divine that an abyss was opening1 and dared not insist4 ,however1 he at last resumed with some violence3 ,but1 after all1 why should my book be prosecuted1 and the books of others be left untouched8 ,i have no intention of acting as a denouncer myself1 but how many books there are to which ,rome closes her eyes1 and which are far more dangerous than mine can be6 ,this time ,monsignor ,fornaro seemed glad to be able to support ,pierre's views4 ,you are right1 said he1 we cannot deal with every bad book1 and it greatly distresses us4 ,but you must remember what an incalculable number of works we should be compelled to read4 ,and so we have to content ourselves with condemning the worst _/en bloc_/4 ,then he complacently entered into explanations4 ,in principle1 no printer ought to send any work to press without having previously submitted the manuscript to the approval of the bishop of the diocese4 ,nowadays1 however1 with the enormous output of the printing trade1 one could understand how terribly embarrassed the bishops would be if the printers were suddenly to conform to the ,church's regulation4 ,there was neither the time nor the money1 nor were there the men necessary for such colossal labour4 ,and so the ,congregation of the ,index condemned _/en masse_/1 without examination1 all works of certain categories3 first1 books which were dangerous for morals1 all erotic writings1 and all novels2 next the various bibles in the vulgar tongue1 for the perusal of ,holy ,writ without discretion was not allowable2 then the books on magic and sorcery1 and all works on science1 history1 or philosophy that were in any way contrary to dogma1 as well as the writings of heresiarchs or mere ecclesiastics discussing religion1 which should never be discussed4 ,all these were wise laws made by different popes1 and were set forth in the preface to the catalogue of forbidden books which the ,congregation published1 and without them this catalogue1 to have been complete1 would in itself have formed a large library4 ,on turning it over one found that the works singled out for interdiction were chiefly those of priests1 the task being so vast and difficult that ,rome's concern extended but little beyond the observance of good order within the ,church4 ,and ,pierre and his book came within the limit4 ,you will understand1 continued ,monsignor ,fornaro1 that we have no desire to advertise a heap of unwholesome writings by honouring them with special condemnation4 ,their name is legion in every country1 and we should have neither enough paper nor enough ink to deal with them all4 ,so we content ourselves with condemning one from time to time1 when it bears a famous name and makes too much noise1 or contains disquieting attacks on the faith4 ,this suffices to remind the world that we exist and defend ourselves without abandoning aught of our rights or duties4 ,but my book1 my book1 exclaimed ,pierre1 why these proceedings against my book8 ,i am explaining that to you as far as it is allowable for me to do1 my dear ,monsieur ,froment4 ,you are a priest1 your book is a success1 you have published a cheap edition of it which sells very readily2 and ,i don't speak of its literary merit1 which is remarkable1 for it contains a breath of real poetry which transported me1 and on which ,i must really compliment you4 ,however1 under the circumstances which ,i have enumerated1 how could we close our eyes to such a work as yours1 in which the conclusion arrived at is the annihilation of our holy religion and the destruction of ,rome8 ,pierre remained open-mouthed1 suffocating with surprise4 ,the destruction of ,rome6 he at last exclaimed2 but ,i desire to see ,rome rejuvenated1 eternal1 again the queen of the world4 ,and1 once more mastered by his glowing enthusiasm1 he defended himself and confessed his faith3 ,catholicism reverting to the principles and practices of the primitive ,church1 drawing the blood of regeneration from the fraternal ,christianity of ,jesus2 the ,pope1 freed from all terrestrial royalty1 governing the whole of humanity with charity and love1 and saving the world from the frightful social cataclysm that threatens it by leading it to the real ,kingdom of ,god3 the ,christian communion of all nations united in one nation only4 ,and can the ,holy ,father disavow me8 he continued4 ,are not these his secret ideas1 which people are beginning to divine1 and does not my only offence lie in having expressed them perhaps too soon and too freely8 ,and if ,i were allowed to see him should ,i not at once obtain from him an order to stop these proceedings8 ,monsignor ,fornaro no longer spoke1 but wagged his head without appearing offended by the priest's juvenile ardour4 ,on the contrary1 he smiled with increasing amiability1 as though highly amused by so much innocence and imagination4 ,at last he gaily responded1 ,oh6 speak on1 speak on2 it isn't ,i who will stop you4 ,i'm forbidden to say anything4 ,but the temporal power1 the temporal power4 ,well1 what of the temporal power8 asked ,pierre4 ,the prelate had again become silent1 raising his amiable face to heaven and waving his white hands with a pretty gesture4 ,and when he once more opened his mouth it was to say3 ,then there's your new religion--for the expression occurs twice3 the new religion1 the new religion--ah1 _/,dio_/6 ,again he became restless1 going off into an ecstasy of wonderment1 at sight of which ,pierre impatiently exclaimed3 ,i do not know what your report will be1 ,monseigneur1 but ,i declare to you that ,i have had no desire to attack dogma4 ,and1 candidly now1 my whole book shows that ,i only sought to write a work of pity and salvation4 ,it is only justice that some account should be taken of one's intentions4 ,monsignor ,fornaro had become very calm and paternal again4 ,oh6 intentions6 intentions6 he said as he rose to dismiss his visitor4 ,you may be sure1 my dear ,monsieur ,froment1 that ,i feel much honoured by your visit4 ,naturally ,i cannot tell you what my report will be2 as it is1 we have talked too much about it1 and1 in fact1 ,i ought to have refused to listen to your defence4 ,at the same time1 you will always find me ready to be of service to you in anything that does not go against my duty4 ,but ,i greatly fear that your book will be condemned4 ,and then1 as ,pierre again started1 he added3 ,well1 yes4 ,it is facts that are judged1 you know1 not intentions4 ,so all defence is useless2 the book is there1 and we take it such as it is4 ,however much you may try to explain it1 you cannot alter it4 ,and this is why the ,congregation never calls the accused parties before it1 and never accepts from them aught but retraction pure and simple4 ,and1 indeed1 the wisest course would be for you to withdraw your book and make your submission4 ,no8 ,you won't8 ,ah6 how young you are1 my friend6 ,he laughed yet more loudly at the gesture of revolt1 of indomitable pride which had just escaped his young friend1 as he called him4 ,then1 on reaching the door1 he again threw off some of his reserve1 and said in a low voice1 ,come1 my dear ,abbe1 there is something ,i will do for you4 ,i will give you some good advice4 ,at bottom1 ,i myself am nothing4 ,i deliver my report1 and it is printed1 and the members of the ,congregation read it1 but are quite free to pay no attention to it4 ,however1 the ,secretary of the ,congregation1 ,father ,dangelis1 can accomplish everything1 even impossibilities4 ,go to see him2 you will find him at the ,dominican convent behind the ,piazza di ,spagna4 ,don't name me4 ,and for the present good-bye1 my dear fellow1 good-bye4 ,pierre once more found himself on the ,piazza ,navona1 quite dazed1 no longer knowing what to believe or hope4 ,a cowardly idea was coming over him2 why should he continue this struggle1 in which his adversaries remained unknown and indiscernible8 ,why carry obstinacy any further1 why linger any longer in that impassionating but deceptive ,rome8 ,he would flee that very evening1 return to ,paris1 disappear there1 and forget his bitter disillusion in the practice of humble charity4 ,he was traversing one of those hours of weakness when the long-dreamt-of task suddenly seems to be an impossibility4 ,however1 amidst his great confusion he was nevertheless walking on1 going towards his destination4 ,and when he found himself in the ,corso1 then in the ,via dei ,condotti1 and finally in the ,piazza di ,spagna1 he resolved that he would at any rate see ,father ,dangelis4 ,the ,dominican convent is there1 just below the ,trinity de' ,monti4 ,ah6 those ,dominicans6 ,pierre had never thought of them without a feeling of respect with which mingled a little fear4 ,what vigorous pillars of the principle of authority and theocracy they had for centuries proved themselves to be6 ,to them the ,church had been indebted for its greatest measure of authority2 they were the glorious soldiers of its triumph4 ,whilst ,st4 ,francis won the souls of the humble over to ,rome1 ,st4 ,dominic1 on ,rome's behalf1 subjected all the superior souls--those of the intelligent and powerful4 ,and this he did with passion1 amidst a blaze of faith and determination1 making use of all possible means1 preachings1 writings1 and police and judicial pressure4 ,though he did not found the ,inquisition1 its principles were his1 and it was with fire and sword that his fraternal1 loving heart waged war on schism4 ,living like his monks1 in poverty1 chastity1 and obedience--the great virtues of those times of pride and licentiousness--he went from city to city1 exhorting the impious1 striving to bring them back to the ,church and arraigning them before the ecclesiastical courts when his preachings did not suffice4 ,he also laid siege to science1 sought to make it his own1 dreamt of defending ,god with the weapons of reason and human knowledge like a true forerunner of the angelic ,st4 ,thomas1 that light of the middle ages1 who joined the ,dominican order and set everything in his ,summa ,theologiae1 psychology1 logic1 policy1 and morals4 ,and thus it was that the ,dominicans filled the world1 upholding the doctrines of ,rome in the most famous pulpits of every nation1 and contending almost everywhere against the free sprit of the ,universities1 like the vigilant guardians of dogma that they were1 the unwearying artisans of the fortunes of the popes1 the most powerful amongst all the artistic1 scientific1 and literary workers who raised the huge edifice of ,catholicism such as it exists to-day4 ,however1 ,pierre1 who could feel that this edifice was even now tottering1 though it had been built1 people fancied1 so substantially as to last through all eternity1 asked himself what could be the present use of the ,dominicans1 those toilers of another age1 whose police system and whose tribunals had perished beneath universal execration1 whose voices were no longer listened to1 whose books were but seldom read1 and whose _/role_/ as _/savants_/ and civilisers had come to an end in presence of latter-day science1 the truths of which were rending dogma on all sides4 ,certainly the ,dominicans still form an influential and prosperous order2 but how far one is from the times when their general reigned in ,rome1 ,master of the ,holy ,palace1 with convents and schools1 and subjects throughout ,europe6 ,of all their vast inheritance1 so far as the ,roman curia is concerned1 only a few posts now remain to them1 and among others the ,secretaryship of the ,congregation of the ,index1 a former dependency of the ,holy ,office where they once despotically ruled4 ,pierre was immediately ushered into the presence of ,father ,dangelis4 ,the convent parlour was vast1 bare1 and white1 flooded with bright sunshine4 ,the only furniture was a table and some stools2 and a large brass crucifix hung from the wall4 ,near the table stood the ,father1 a very thin man of about fifty1 severely draped in his ample white habit and black mantle4 ,from his long ascetic face1 with thin lips1 thin nose1 and pointed1 obstinate chin1 his grey eyes shone out with a fixity that embarrassed one4 ,and1 moreover1 he showed himself very plain and simple of speech1 and frigidly polite in manner4 ,monsieur l',abbe ,froment--the author of ',new ,rome1' ,i suppose8 ,then seating himself on one stool and pointing to another1 he added3 ,pray acquaint me with the object of your visit1 ,monsieur l',abbe4 ,thereupon ,pierre had to begin his explanation1 his defence1 all over again2 and the task soon became the more painful as his words fell from his lips amidst death-like silence and frigidity4 ,father ,dangelis did not stir2 with his hands crossed upon his knees he kept his sharp1 penetrating eyes fixed upon those of the priest4 ,and when the latter had at last ceased speaking1 he slowly said3 ,i did not like to interrupt you1 ,monsieur l',abbe1 but it was not for me to hear all this4 ,process against your book has begun1 and no power in the world can stay or impede its course4 ,i do not therefore realise what it is that you apparently expect of me4 ,in a quivering voice ,pierre was bold enough to answer3 ,i look for some kindness and justice4 ,a pale smile1 instinct with proud humility1 arose to the ,dominican's lips4 ,be without fear1 he replied1 ,god has ever deigned to enlighten me in the discharge of my modest duties4 ,personally1 be it said1 ,i have no justice to render2 ,i am but an employee whose duty is to classify matters and draw up documents concerning them4 ,their ,eminences1 the members of the ,congregation1 will alone pronounce judgment on your book4 ,and assuredly they will do so with the help of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,you will only have to bow to their sentence when it shall have been ratified by his ,holiness4 ,then he broke off the interview by rising1 and ,pierre was obliged to do the same4 ,the ,dominican's words were virtually identical with those that had fallen from ,monsignor ,fornaro1 but they were spoken with cutting frankness1 a sort of tranquil bravery4 ,on all sides ,pierre came into collision with the same anonymous force1 the same powerful engine whose component parts sought to ignore one another4 ,for a long time yet1 no doubt1 he would be sent from one to the other1 without ever finding the volitional element which reasoned and acted4 ,and the only thing that he could do was to bow to it all4 ,however1 before going off1 it occurred to him once more to mention the name of ,monsignor ,nani1 the powerful effect of which he had begun to realise4 ,i ask your pardon1 he said1 for having disturbed you to no purpose1 but ,i simply deferred to the kind advice of ,monsignor ,nani1 who has condescended to show me some interest4 ,the effect of these words was unexpected4 ,again did ,father ,dangelis's thin face brighten into a smile1 but with a twist of the lips1 sharp with ironical contempt4 ,he had become yet paler1 and his keen intelligent eyes were flaming4 ,ah6 it was ,monsignor ,nani who sent you6 he said4 ,well1 if you think you need a protector1 it is useless for you to apply to any other than himself4 ,he is all-powerful4 ,go to see him2 go to see him6 ,and that was the only encouragement ,pierre derived from his visit3 the advice to go back to the man who had sent him4 ,at this he felt that he was losing ground1 and he resolved to return home in order to reflect on things and try to understand them before taking any further steps4 ,the idea of questioning ,don ,vigilio at once occurred to him1 and that same evening after supper he luckily met the secretary in the corridor1 just as1 candle in hand1 he was on his way to bed4 ,i have so many things that ,i should like to say to you1 ,pierre said to him4 ,can you kindly come to my rooms for a moment8 ,but the other promptly silenced him with a gesture1 and then whispered3 ,didn't you see ,abbe ,paparelli on the first floor8 ,he was following us1 ,i'm sure4 ,pierre often saw the train-bearer roaming about the house1 and greatly disliked his stealthy1 prying ways4 ,however1 he had hitherto attached no importance to him1 and was therefore much surprised by ,don ,vigilio's question4 ,the other1 without awaiting his reply1 had returned to the end of the corridor1 where for a long while he remained listening4 ,then he came back on tip-toe1 blew out his candle1 and darted into ,pierre's sitting-room4 ,there--that's done1 he murmured directly the door was shut4 ,but if it is all the same to you1 we won't stop in this sitting-room4 ,let us go into your bed-room4 ,two walls are better than one4 ,when the lamp had been placed on the table and they found themselves seated face to face in that bare1 faded bed-chamber1 ,pierre noticed that the secretary was suffering from a more violent attack of fever than usual4 ,his thin puny figure was shivering from head to foot1 and his ardent eyes had never before blazed so blackly in his ravaged1 yellow face4 ,are you poorly8 asked ,pierre4 ,i don't want to tire you4 ,poorly1 yes1 ,i am on fire--but ,i want to talk4 ,i can't bear it any longer4 ,one always has to relieve oneself some day or other4 ,was it his complaint that he desired to relieve2 or was he anxious to break his long silence in order that it might not stifle him8 ,this at first remained uncertain4 ,he immediately asked for an account of the steps that ,pierre had lately taken1 and became yet more restless when he heard how the other had been received by ,cardinal ,sarno1 ,monsignor ,fornaro1 and ,father ,dangelis4 ,yes1 that's quite it1 he repeated1 nothing astonishes me nowadays1 and yet ,i feel indignant on your account4 ,yes1 it doesn't concern me1 but all the same it makes me ill1 for it reminds me of all my own troubles4 ,you must not rely on ,cardinal ,sarno1 remember1 for he is always elsewhere1 with his mind far away1 and has never helped anybody4 ,but that ,fornaro1 that ,fornaro6 ,he seemed to me very amiable1 even kindly disposed1 replied ,pierre2 and ,i really think that after our interview1 he will considerably soften his report4 ,he6 ,why1 the gentler he was with you the more grievously he will saddle you6 ,he will devour you1 fatten himself with such easy prey4 ,ah6 you don't know him1 _/dilizioso_/ that he is1 ever on the watch to rear his own fortune on the troubles of poor devils whose defeat is bound to please the powerful4 ,i prefer the other one1 ,father ,dangelis1 a terrible man1 no doubt1 but frank and brave and of superior mind4 ,i must admit1 however1 that he would burn you like a handful of straw if he were the master4 ,and ah6 if ,i could tell you everything1 if ,i could show you the frightful under-side of this world of ours1 the monstrous1 ravenous ambition1 the abominable network of intrigues1 venality1 cowardice1 treachery1 and even crime6 ,on seeing ,don ,vigilio so excited1 in such a blaze of spite1 ,pierre thought of extracting from him some of the many items of information which he had hitherto sought in vain4 ,well1 tell me merely what is the position of my affair1 he responded4 ,when ,i questioned you on my arrival here you said that nothing had yet reached ,cardinal ,boccanera4 ,but all information must now have been collected1 and you must know of it4 ,and1 by the way1 ,monsignor ,fornaro told me that three ,french bishops had asked that my book should be prosecuted4 ,three bishops1 is it possible8 ,don ,vigilio shrugged his shoulders4 ,ah6 said he1 yours is an innocent soul6 ,i'm surprised that there were _/only_/ three6 ,yes1 several documents relating to your affair are in our hands2 and1 moreover1 things have turned out much as ,i suspected4 ,the three bishops are first the ,bishop of ,tarbes1 who evidently carries out the vengeance of the ,fathers of ,lourdes2 and then the ,bishops of ,poitiers and ,evreux1 who are both known as uncompromising ,ultramontanists and passionate adversaries of ,cardinal ,bergerot4 ,the ,cardinal1 you know1 is regarded with disfavour at the ,vatican1 where his ,gallican ideas and broad liberal mind provoke perfect anger4 ,and don't seek for anything else4 ,the whole affair lies in that3 an execution which the powerful ,fathers of ,lourdes demand of his ,holiness1 and a desire to reach and strike ,cardinal ,bergerot through your book1 by means of the letter of approval which he imprudently wrote to you and which you published by way of preface4 ,for a long time past the condemnations of the ,index have largely been secret knock-down blows levelled at ,churchmen4 ,denunciation reigns supreme1 and the law applied is that of good pleasure4 ,i could tell you some almost incredible things1 how perfectly innocent books have been selected among a hundred for the sole object of killing an idea or a man2 for the blow is almost always levelled at some one behind the author1 some one higher than he is4 ,and there is such a hot-bed of intrigue1 such a source of abuses in this institution of the ,index1 that it is tottering1 and even among those who surround the ,pope it is felt that it must soon be freshly regulated if it is not to fall into complete discredit4 ,i well understand that the ,church should endeavour to retain universal power1 and govern by every fit weapon1 but the weapons must be such as one can use without their injustice leading to revolt1 or their antique childishness provoking merriment6 ,pierre listened with dolorous astonishment in his heart4 ,since he had been at ,rome and had seen the ,fathers of the ,grotto saluted and feared there1 holding an authoritative position1 thanks to the large alms which they contributed to the ,peter's ,pence1 he had felt that they were behind the proceedings instituted against him1 and realised that he would have to pay for a certain page of his book in which he had called attention to an iniquitous displacement of fortune at ,lourdes1 a frightful spectacle which made one doubt the very existence of the ,divinity1 a continual cause of battle and conflict which would disappear in the truly ,christian society of to-morrow4 ,and he could also now understand that his delight at the loss of the temporal power must have caused a scandal1 and especially that the unfortunate expression a new religion had alone been sufficient to arm _/delatores_/ against him4 ,but that which amazed and grieved him was to learn that ,cardinal ,bergerot's letter was looked upon as a crime1 and that his 7,pierre's7 book was denounced and condemned in order that adversaries who dared not attack the venerable pastor face to face might1 deal him a cowardly blow from behind4 ,the thought of afflicting that saintly man1 of serving as the implement to strike him in his ardent charity1 cruelly grieved ,pierre4 ,and how bitter and disheartening it was to find the most hideous questions of pride and money1 ambition and appetite1 running riot with the most ferocious egotism1 beneath the quarrels of those leaders of the ,church who ought only to have contended together in love for the poor6 ,and then ,pierre's mind revolted against that supremely odious and idiotic ,index4 ,he now understood how it worked1 from the arrival of the denunciations to the public posting of the titles of the condemned works4 ,he had just seen the ,secretary of the ,congregation1 ,father ,dangelis1 to whom the denunciations came1 and who then investigated the affair1 collecting all documents and information concerning it with the passion of a cultivated authoritarian monk1 who dreamt of ruling minds and consciences as in the heroic days of the ,inquisition4 ,then1 too1 ,pierre had visited one of the consultive prelates1 ,monsignor ,fornaro1 who was so ambitious and affable1 and so subtle a theologian that he would have discovered attacks against the faith in a treatise on algebra1 had his interests required it4 ,next there were the infrequent meetings of the cardinals1 who at long intervals voted for the interdiction of some hostile book1 deeply regretting that they could not suppress them all2 and finally came the ,pope1 approving and signing the decrees1 which was a mere formality1 for were not all books guilty8 ,but what an extraordinary wretched ,bastille of the past was that aged ,index1 that senile institution now sunk into second childhood4 ,one realised that it must have been a formidable power when books were rare and the ,church had tribunals of blood and fire to enforce her edicts4 ,but books had so greatly multiplied1 the written1 printed thoughts of mankind had swollen into such a deep broad river1 that they had swept all opposition away1 and now the ,index was swamped and reduced to powerlessness1 compelled more and more to limit its field of action1 to confine itself to the examination of the writings of ecclesiastics1 and even in this respect it was becoming corrupt1 fouled by the worst passions and changed into an instrument of intrigue1 hatred1 and vengeance4 ,ah6 that confession of decay1 of paralysis which grew more and more complete amidst the scornful indifference of the nations4 ,to think that ,catholicism1 the once glorious agent of civilisation1 had come to such a pass that it cast books into hell-fire by the heap2 and what books they were1 almost the entire literature1 history1 philosophy1 and science of the past and the present6 ,few works1 indeed1 are published nowadays that would not fall under the ban of the ,church4 ,if she seems to close her eyes1 it is in order to avoid the impossible task of hunting out and destroying everything4 ,yet she stubbornly insists on retaining a semblance of sovereign authority over human intelligence1 just as some very aged queen1 dispossessed of her states and henceforth without judges or executioners1 might continue to deliver vain sentences to which only an infinitesimal minority would pay heed4 ,but imagine the ,church momentarily victorious1 miraculously mastering the modern world1 and ask yourself what she1 with her tribunals to condemn and her gendarmes to enforce1 would do with human thought4 ,imagine a strict application of the ,index regulations3 no printer able to put anything whatever to press without the approval of his bishop1 and even then every book laid before the ,congregation1 the past expunged1 the present throttled1 subjected to an intellectual ,reign of ,terror6 ,would not the closing of every library perforce ensue1 would not the long heritage of written thought be cast into prison1 would not the future be barred1 would not all progress1 all conquest of knowledge1 be totally arrested8 ,rome herself is nowadays a terrible example of such a disastrous experiment--,rome with her congealed soil1 her dead sap1 killed by centuries of papal government1 ,rome which has become so barren that not a man1 not a work has sprung from her midst even after five and twenty years of awakening and liberty6 ,and who would accept such a state of things1 not among people of revolutionary mind1 but among those of religious mind that might possess any culture and breadth of view8 ,plainly enough it was all mere childishness and absurdity4 ,deep silence reigned1 and ,pierre1 quite upset by his reflections1 made a gesture of despair whilst glancing at ,don ,vigilio1 who sat speechless in front of him4 ,for a moment longer1 amidst the death-like quiescence of that old sleeping mansion1 both continued silent1 seated face to face in the closed chamber which the lamp illumined with a peaceful glow4 ,but at last ,don ,vigilio leant forward1 his eyes sparkling1 and with a feverish shiver murmured3 ,it is they1 you know1 always they1 at the bottom of everything4 ,pierre1 who did not understand1 felt astonished1 indeed somewhat anxious at such a strange remark coming without any apparent transition4 ,who are _/they_/8 he asked4 ,the ,jesuits6 ,in this reply the little1 withered1 yellow priest had set all the concentrated rage of his exploding passion4 ,ah6 so much the worse if he had perpetrated a fresh act of folly4 ,the cat was out of the bag at last6 ,nevertheless1 he cast a final suspicious glance around the walls4 ,and then he relieved his mind at length1 with a flow of words which gushed forth the more irresistibly since he had so long held them in check4 ,ah6 the ,jesuits1 the ,jesuits6 ,you fancy that you know them1 but you haven't even an idea of their abominable actions and incalculable power4 ,they it is whom one always comes upon1 everywhere1 in every circumstance4 ,remember _/that_/ whenever you fail to understand anything1 if you wish to understand it4 ,whenever grief or trouble comes upon you1 whenever you suffer1 whenever you weep1 say to yourself at once3 ',it is they2 they are there6' ,why1 for all ,i know1 there may be one of them under that bed1 inside that cupboard4 ,ah6 the ,jesuits1 the ,jesuits6 ,they have devoured me1 they are devouring me still1 they will leave nothing of me at last1 neither flesh nor bone4 ,then1 in a halting voice1 he related the story of his life1 beginning with his youth1 which had opened so hopefully4 ,he belonged to the petty provincial nobility1 and had been dowered with a fairly large income1 besides a keen1 supple intelligence1 which looked smilingly towards the future4 ,nowadays1 he would assuredly have been a prelate1 on the road to high dignities1 but he had been foolish enough to speak ill of the ,jesuits and to thwart them in two or three circumstances4 ,and from that moment1 if he were to be believed1 they had caused every imaginable misfortune to rain upon him3 his father and mother had died1 his banker had robbed him and fled1 good positions had escaped him at the very moment when he was about to occupy them1 the most awful misadventures had pursued him amidst the duties of his ministry to such a point indeed1 that he had narrowly escaped interdiction4 ,it was only since ,cardinal ,boccanera1 compassionating his bad luck1 had taken him into his house and attached him to his person1 that he had enjoyed a little repose4 ,here ,i have a refuge1 an asylum1 he continued4 ,they execrate his ,eminence1 who has never been on their side1 but they haven't yet dared to attack him or his servants4 ,oh6 ,i have no illusions1 they will end by catching me again1 all the same4 ,perhaps they will even hear of our conversation this evening1 and make me pay dearly for it2 for ,i do wrong to speak1 ,i speak in spite of myself4 ,they have stolen all my happiness1 and brought all possible misfortune on me1 everything that was possible1 everything--you hear me6 ,increasing discomfort was taking possession of ,pierre1 who1 seeking to relieve himself by a jest1 exclaimed3 ,come1 come1 at any rate it wasn't the ,jesuits who gave you the fever4 ,yes1 yes1 it was6 ,don ,vigilio violently declared4 ,i caught it on the bank of the ,tiber one evening1 when ,i went to weep there in my grief at having been driven from the little church where ,i officiated4 ,pierre1 hitherto1 had never believed in the terrible legend of the ,jesuits4 ,he belonged to a generation which laughed at the idea of wehr-wolves1 and considered the _/bourgeois_/ fear of the famous black men1 who hid themselves in walls and terrorised families1 to be a trifle ridiculous4 ,to him all such things seemed to be nursery tales1 exaggerated by religious and political passion4 ,and so it was with amazement that he examined ,don ,vigilio1 suddenly fearing that he might have to deal with a maniac4 ,nevertheless he could not help recalling the extraordinary story of the ,jesuits4 ,if ,st4 ,francis of ,assisi and ,st4 ,dominic are the very soul and spirit of the middle ages1 its masters and teachers1 the former a living expression of all the ardent1 charitable faith of the humble1 and the other defending dogma and fixing doctrines for the intelligent and the powerful1 on the other hand ,ignatius de ,loyola appeared on the threshold of modern times to save the tottering heritage by accommodating religion to the new developments of society1 thereby ensuring it the empire of the world which was about to appear4 ,at the advent of the modern era it seemed as if the ,deity were to be vanquished in the uncompromising struggle with sin1 for it was certain that the old determination to suppress ,nature1 to kill the man within man1 with his appetites1 passions1 heart1 and blood1 could only result in a disastrous defeat1 in which1 indeed1 the ,church found herself on the very eve of sinking2 and it was the ,jesuits who came to extricate her from this peril and reinvigorate her by deciding that it was she who now ought to go to the world1 since the world seemed unwilling to go any longer to her4 ,all lay in that2 you find the ,jesuits declaring that one can enter into arrangements with heaven2 they bend and adjust themselves to the customs1 prejudices1 and even vices of the times2 they smile1 all condescension1 cast rigourism aside1 and practice the diplomacy of amiability1 ever ready to turn the most awful abominations to the greater glory of ,god4 ,that is their motto1 their battle-cry1 and thence springs the moral principle which many regard as their crime3 that all means are good to attain one's end1 especially when that end is the furtherance of the ,deity's interests as represented by those of the ,church4 ,and what overwhelming success attends the efforts of the ,jesuits6 they swarm and before long cover the earth1 on all sides becoming uncontested masters4 ,they shrive kings1 they acquire immense wealth1 they display such victorious power of invasion that1 however humbly they may set foot in any country1 they soon wholly possess it3 souls1 bodies1 power1 and fortune alike falling to them4 ,and they are particularly zealous in founding schools1 they show themselves to be incomparable moulders of the human brain1 well understanding that power always belongs to the morrow1 to the generations which are growing up and whose master one must be if one desire to reign eternally4 ,so great is their power1 based on the necessity of compromise with sin1 that1 on the morrow of the ,council of ,trent1 they transform the very spirit of ,catholicism1 penetrate it1 identify it with themselves and become the indispensable soldiers of the papacy which lives by them and for them4 ,and from that moment ,rome is theirs1 ,rome where their general so long commands1 whence so long go forth the directions for the obscure tactics which are blindly followed by their innumerable army1 whose skilful organisation covers the globe as with an iron network hidden by the velvet of hands expert in dealing gently with poor suffering humanity4 ,but1 after all1 the most prodigious feature is the stupefying vitality of the ,jesuits who are incessantly tracked1 condemned1 executed1 and yet still and ever erect4 ,as soon as their power asserts itself1 their unpopularity begins and gradually becomes universal4 ,hoots of execration arise around them1 abominable accusations1 scandalous law cases in which they appear as corruptors and felons4 ,pascal devotes them to public contempt1 parliaments condemn their books to be burnt1 universities denounce their system of morals and their teaching as poisonous4 ,they foment such disturbances1 such struggles in every kingdom1 that organised persecution sets in1 and they are soon driven from everywhere4 ,during more than a century they become wanderers1 expelled1 then recalled1 passing and repassing frontiers1 leaving a country amidst cries of hatred to return to it as soon as quiet has been restored4 ,finally1 for supreme disaster1 they are suppressed by one pope1 but another re-establishes them1 and since then they have been virtually tolerated everywhere4 ,and in the diplomatic self-effacement1 the shade in which they have the prudence to sequester themselves1 they are none the less triumphant1 quietly confident of their victory like soldiers who have once and for ever subdued the earth4 ,pierre was aware that1 judging by mere appearances1 the ,jesuits were nowadays dispossessed of all influence in ,rome4 ,they no longer officiated at the ,gesu1 they no longer directed the ,collegio ,romano1 where they formerly fashioned so many souls2 and with no abode of their own1 reduced to accept foreign hospitality1 they had modestly sought a refuge at the ,collegio ,germanico1 where there is a little chapel4 ,there they taught and there they still confessed1 but without the slightest bustle or display4 ,was one to believe1 however1 that this effacement was but masterly cunning1 a feigned disappearance in order that they might really remain secret1 all-powerful masters1 the hidden hand which directs and guides everything8 ,people certainly said that the proclamation of papal ,infallibility had been their work1 a weapon with which they had armed themselves whilst feigning to bestow it on the papacy1 in readiness for the coming decisive task which their genius foresaw in the approaching social upheavals4 ,and thus there might perhaps be some truth in what ,don ,vigilio1 with a shiver of mystery1 related about their occult sovereignty1 a seizin1 as it were1 of the government of the ,church1 a royalty ignored but nevertheless complete4 ,as this idea occurred to ,pierre1 a dim connection between certain of his experiences arose in his mind and he all at once inquired3 ,is ,monsignor ,nani a ,jesuit1 then8 ,these words seemed to revive all ,don ,vigilio's anxious passion4 ,he waved his trembling hand1 and replied3 ,he8 ,oh1 he's too clever1 too skilful by far to have taken the robe4 ,but he comes from that ,collegio ,romano where his generation grew up1 and he there imbibed that ,jesuit genius which adapted itself so well to his own4 ,whilst fully realising the danger of wearing an unpopular and embarrassing livery1 and wishing to be free1 he is none the less a ,jesuit in his flesh1 in his bones1 in his very soul4 ,he is evidently convinced that the ,church can only triumph by utilising the passions of mankind1 and withal he is very fond of the ,church1 very pious at bottom1 a very good priest1 serving ,god without weakness in gratitude for the absolute power which ,god gives to ,his ministers4 ,and besides1 he is so charming1 incapable of any brutal action1 full of the good breeding of his noble ,venetian ancestors1 and deeply versed in knowledge of the world1 thanks to his experiences at the nunciatures of ,paris1 ,vienna1 and other places1 without mentioning that he knows everything that goes on by reason of the delicate functions which he has discharged for ten years past as ,assessor of the ,holy ,office4 ,yes1 he is powerful1 all-powerful1 and in him you do not have the furtive ,jesuit whose robe glides past amidst suspicion1 but the head1 the brain1 the leader whom no uniform designates4 ,this reply made ,pierre grave1 for he was quite willing to admit that an opportunist code of morals1 like that of the ,jesuits1 was inoculable and now predominated throughout the ,church4 ,indeed1 the ,jesuits might disappear1 but their doctrine would survive them1 since it was the one weapon of combat1 the one system of strategy which might again place the nations under the dominion of ,rome4 ,and in reality the struggle which continued lay precisely in the attempts to accommodate religion to the century1 and the century to religion4 ,such being the case1 ,pierre realised that such men as ,monsignor ,nani might acquire vast and even decisive importance4 ,ah6 if you knew1 if you knew1 continued ,don ,vigilio1 he's everywhere1 he has his hand in everything4 ,for instance1 nothing has ever happened here1 among the ,boccaneras1 but ,i've found him at the bottom of it1 tangling or untangling the threads according to necessities with which he alone is acquainted4 ,then1 in the unquenchable fever for confiding things which was now consuming him1 the secretary related how ,monsignor ,nani had most certainly brought on ,benedetta's divorce case4 ,the ,jesuits1 in spite of their conciliatory spirit1 have always taken up a hostile position with regard to ,italy1 either because they do not despair of reconquering ,rome1 or because they wait to treat in due season with the ultimate and real victor1 whether ,king or ,pope4 ,and so ,nani1 who had long been one of ,donna ,serafina's intimates1 had helped to precipitate the rupture with ,prada as soon as ,benedetta's mother was dead4 ,again1 it was he who1 to prevent any interference on the part of the patriotic ,abbe ,pisoni1 the young woman's confessor and the artisan of her marriage1 had urged her to take the same spiritual director as her aunt1 ,father ,lorenza1 a handsome ,jesuit with clear and kindly eyes1 whose confessional in the chapel of the ,collegio ,germanico was incessantly besieged by penitents4 ,and it seemed certain that this manoeuvre had brought about everything2 what one cleric working for ,italy had done1 was to be undone by another working against ,italy4 ,why was it1 however1 that ,nani1 after bringing about the rupture1 had momentarily ceased to show all interest in the affair to the point even of jeopardising the suit for the dissolution of the marriage8 ,and why was he now again busying himself with it1 setting ,donna ,serafina in action1 prompting her to buy ,monsignor ,palma's support1 and bringing his own influence to bear on the cardinals of the ,congregation8 ,there was mystery in all this1 as there was in everything he did1 for his schemes were always complicated and distant in their effects4 ,however1 one might suppose that he now wished to hasten the marriage of ,benedetta and ,dario1 in order to stop all the abominable rumours which were circulating in the white world2 unless1 indeed1 this divorce secured by pecuniary payments and the pressure of notorious influences were an intentional scandal at first spun out and now hastened1 in order to harm ,cardinal ,boccanera1 whom the ,jesuits might desire to brush aside in certain eventualities which were possibly near at hand4 ,to tell the truth1 ,i rather incline to the latter view1 said ,don ,vigilio1 the more so indeed as ,i learnt this evening that the ,pope is not well4 ,with an old man of eighty-four the end may come at any moment1 and so the ,pope can never catch cold but what the ,sacred ,college and the prelacies are all agog1 stirred by sudden ambitious rivalries4 ,now1 the ,jesuits have always opposed ,cardinal ,boccanera's candidature4 ,they ought to be on his side1 on account of his rank1 and his uncompromising attitude towards ,italy1 but the idea of giving themselves such a master disquiets them1 for they consider him unseasonably rough and stern1 too violent in his faith1 which unbending as it is would prove dangerous in these diplomatic times through which the ,church is passing4 ,and so ,i should in no wise be astonished if there were an attempt to discredit him and render his candidature impossible1 by employing the most underhand and shameful means4 ,a little quiver of fear was coming over ,pierre4 ,the contagion of the unknown1 of the black intrigues plotted in the dark1 was spreading amidst the silence of the night in the depths of that palace1 near that ,tiber1 in that ,rome so full of legendary tragedies4 ,but all at once the young man's mind reverted to himself1 to his own affair4 ,but what is my part in all this8 he asked3 why does ,monsignor ,nani seem to take an interest in me8 ,why is he mixed up in the proceedings against my book8 ,oh6 one never knows1 one never knows exactly6 replied ,don ,vigilio1 waving his arms4 ,one thing ,i can say1 that he only knew of the affair when the denunciations of the three bishops were already in the hands of ,father ,dangelis2 and ,i have also learnt that he then tried to stop the proceedings1 which he no doubt thought both useless and impolitic4 ,but when a matter is once before the ,congregation it is almost impossible for it to be withdrawn1 and ,monsignor ,nani must also have come into collision with ,father ,dangelis who1 like a faithful ,dominican1 is the passionate adversary of the ,jesuits4 ,it was then that he caused the ,contessina to write to ,monsieur de la ,choue1 requesting him to tell you to hasten here in order to defend yourself1 and to arrange for your acceptance of hospitality in this mansion1 during your stay4 ,this revelation brought ,pierre's emotion to a climax4 ,you are sure of that8 he asked4 ,oh6 quite sure4 ,i heard ,nani speak of you one ,monday1 and some time ago ,i told you that he seemed to know all about you1 as if he had made most minute inquiries4 ,my belief is that he had already read your book1 and was extremely preoccupied about it4 ,do you think that he shares my ideas1 then8 ,is he sincere1 is he defending himself while striving to defend me8 ,oh6 no1 no1 not at all4 ,your ideas1 why he certainly hates them1 and your book and yourself as well4 ,you have no idea what contempt for the weak1 what hatred of the poor1 and love of authority and domination he conceals under his caressing amiability4 ,lourdes he might abandon to you1 though it embodies a marvellous weapon of government2 but he will never forgive you for being on the side of the little ones of the world1 and for pronouncing against the temporal power4 ,if you only heard with what gentle ferocity he derides ,monsieur de la ,choue1 whom he calls the weeping willow of ,neo-,catholicism6 ,pierre carried his hands to his temples and pressed his head despairingly4 ,then why1 why1 tell me ,i beg of you1 why has he brought me here and kept me here in this house at his disposal8 ,why has he promenaded me up and down ,rome for three long months1 throwing me against obstacles and wearying me1 when it was so easy for him to let the ,index condemn my book if it embarrassed him8 ,it's true1 of course1 that things would not have gone quietly1 for ,i was disposed to refuse submission and openly confess my new faith1 even against the decisions of ,rome4 ,don ,vigilio's black eyes flared in his yellow face3 ,perhaps it was that which he wished to prevent4 ,he knows you to be very intelligent and enthusiastic1 and ,i have often heard him say that intelligence and enthusiasm should not be fought openly4 ,pierre1 however1 had risen to his feet1 and instead of listening1 was striding up and down the room as though carried away by the whirlwind of his thoughts4 ,come1 come1 he said at last1 it is necessary that ,i should know and understand things if ,i am to continue the struggle4 ,you must be kind enough to give me some detailed particulars about each of the persons mixed up in my affair4 ,jesuits1 ,jesuits everywhere8 _/,mon ,dieu_/1 it may be so1 you are perhaps right6 ,but all the same you must point out the different shades to me4 ,now1 for instance1 what of that ,fornaro8 ,monsignor ,fornaro1 oh6 he's whatever you like4 ,still he also was brought up at the ,collegio ,romano1 so you may be certain that he is a ,jesuit1 a ,jesuit by education1 position1 and ambition4 ,he is longing to become a cardinal1 and if he some day becomes one1 he'll long to be the next pope4 ,besides1 you know1 every one here is a candidate to the papacy as soon as he enters the seminary4 ,and ,cardinal ,sanguinetti8 ,a ,jesuit1 a ,jesuit6 ,to speak plainly1 he was one1 then ceased to be one1 and is now undoubtedly one again4 ,sanguinetti has flirted with every influence4 ,it was long thought that he was in favour of conciliation between the ,holy ,see and ,italy2 but things drifted into a bad way1 and he violently took part against the usurpers4 ,in the same style he has frequently fallen out with ,leo ,,xiii and then made his peace4 ,to-day at the ,vatican1 he keeps on a footing of diplomatic reserve4 ,briefly he only has one object1 the tiara1 and even shows it too plainly1 which is a mistake1 for it uses up a candidate4 ,still1 just at present the struggle seems to be between him and ,cardinal ,boccanera4 ,and that's why he has gone over to the ,jesuits again1 utilising their hatred of his rival1 and anticipating that they will be forced to support _/him_/ in order to defeat the other4 ,but ,i doubt it1 they are too shrewd1 they will hesitate to patronise a candidate who is already so compromised4 ,he1 blunder-head1 passionate and proud as he is1 doubts nothing1 and since you say that he is now at ,frascati1 ,i'm certain that he made all haste to shut himself up there with some grand strategical object in view1 as soon as he heard of the ,pope's illness4 ,well1 and the ,pope himself1 ,leo ,,xiii8 asked ,pierre4 ,this time ,don ,vigilio slightly hesitated1 his eyes blinking4 ,then he said3 ,leo ,,xiii8 ,he is a ,jesuit1 a ,jesuit6 ,oh6 ,i know it is said that he sides with the ,dominicans1 and this is in a measure true1 for he fancies that he is animated with their spirit and he has brought ,st4 ,thomas into favour again1 and has restored all the ecclesiastical teaching of doctrine4 ,but there is also the ,jesuit1 remember1 who is one involuntarily and without knowing it1 and of this category the present ,pope will prove the most famous example4 ,study his acts1 investigate his policy1 and you will find that everything in it emanates from the ,jesuit spirit4 ,the fact is that he has unwittingly become impregnated with that spirit1 and that all the influence1 directly or indirectly brought to bear on him comes from a ,jesuit centre4 ,ah6 why don't you believe me8 ,i repeat that the ,jesuits have conquered and absorbed everything1 that all ,rome belongs to them from the most insignificant cleric to his ,holiness in person4 ,then he continued1 replying to each fresh name that ,pierre gave with the same obstinate1 maniacal cry3 ,jesuit1 ,jesuit6 ,it seemed as if a ,churchman could be nothing else1 as if each answer were a confirmation of the proposition that the clergy must compound with the modern world if it desired to preserve its ,deity4 ,the heroic age of ,catholicism was accomplished1 henceforth it could only live by dint of diplomacy and ruses1 concessions and arrangements4 ,and that ,paparelli1 he's a ,jesuit too1 a ,jesuit6 ,don ,vigilio went on1 instinctively lowering his voice4 ,yes1 the humble but terrible ,jesuit1 the ,jesuit in his most abominable _/role_/ as a spy and a perverter6 ,i could swear that he has merely been placed here in order to keep watch on his ,eminence6 ,and you should see with what supple talent and craft he has performed his task1 to such a point indeed that it is now he alone who wills and orders things4 ,he opens the door to whomsoever he pleases1 uses his master like something belonging to him1 weighs on each of his resolutions1 and holds him in his power by dint of his stealthy unremitting efforts4 ,yes6 it's the lion conquered by the insect2 the infinitesimally small disposing of the infinitely great2 the train-bearer--whose proper part is to sit at his cardinal's feet like a faithful hound--in reality reigning over him1 and impelling him in whatsoever direction he chooses4 ,ah6 the ,jesuit6 the ,jesuit6 ,mistrust him when you see him gliding by in his shabby old cassock1 with the flabby wrinkled face of a devout old maid4 ,and make sure that he isn't behind the doors1 or in the cupboards1 or under the beds4 ,ah6 ,i tell you that they'll devour you as they've devoured me2 and they'll give you the fever too1 perhaps even the plague if you are not careful6 ,pierre suddenly halted in front of his companion4 ,he was losing all assurance1 both fear and rage were penetrating him4 ,and1 after all1 why not8 ,these extraordinary stories must be true4 ,but in that case give me some advice1 he exclaimed1 ,i asked you to come in here this evening precisely because ,i no longer know what to do1 and need to be set in the right path-- ,then he broke off and again paced to and fro1 as if urged into motion by his exploding passion4 ,or rather no1 tell me nothing6 he abruptly resumed4 ,it's all over2 ,i prefer to go away4 ,the thought occurred to me before1 but it was in a moment of cowardice and with the idea of disappearing and of returning to live in peace in my little nook3 whereas now1 if ,i go off1 it will be as an avenger1 a judge1 to cry aloud to all the world from ,paris1 to proclaim what ,i have seen in ,rome1 what men have done there with the ,christianity of ,jesus1 the ,vatican falling into dust1 the corpse-like odour which comes from it1 the idiotic illusions of those who hope that they will one day see a renascence of the modern soul arise from a sepulchre where the remnants of dead centuries rot and slumber4 ,oh6 ,i will not yield1 ,i will not make my submission1 ,i will defend my book by a fresh one4 ,and that book1 ,i promise you1 will make some noise in the world1 for it will sound the last agony of a dying religion1 which one must make all haste to bury lest its remains should poison the nations6 ,all this was beyond ,don ,vigilio's mind4 ,the ,italian priest1 with narrow belief and ignorant terror of the new ideas1 awoke within him4 ,he clasped his hands1 affrighted4 ,be quiet1 be quiet6 ,you are blaspheming6 ,and1 besides1 you cannot go off like that without again trying to see his ,holiness4 ,he alone is sovereign4 ,and ,i know that ,i shall surprise you2 but ,father ,dangelis has given you in jest the only good advice that can be given3 ,go back to see ,monsignor ,nani1 for he alone will open the door of the ,vatican for you4 ,again did ,pierre give a start of anger3 ,what6 ,it was with ,monsignor ,nani that ,i began1 from him that ,i set out2 and ,i am to go back to him8 ,what game is that8 ,can ,i consent to be a shuttlecock sent flying hither and thither by every battledore8 ,people are having a game with me6 ,then1 harassed and distracted1 the young man fell on his chair in front of ,don ,vigilio1 who with his face drawn by his prolonged vigil1 and his hands still and ever faintly trembling1 remained for some time silent4 ,at last he explained that he had another idea4 ,he was slightly acquainted with the ,pope's confessor1 a ,franciscan father1 a man of great simplicity1 to whom he might recommend ,pierre4 ,this ,franciscan1 despite his self-effacement1 would perhaps prove of service to him4 ,at all events he might be tried4 ,then1 once more1 silence fell1 and ,pierre1 whose dreamy eyes were turned towards the wall1 ended by distinguishing the old picture which had touched him so deeply on the day of his arrival4 ,in the pale glow of the lamp it gradually showed forth and lived1 like an incarnation of his own case1 his own futile despair before the sternly closed portal of truth and justice4 ,ah6 that outcast woman1 that stubborn victim of love1 weeping amidst her streaming hair1 her visage hidden whilst with pain and grief she sank upon the steps of that palace whose door was so pitilessly shut--how she resembled him6 ,draped with a mere strip of linen1 she was shivering1 and amidst the overpowering distress of her abandonment she did not reveal her secret1 misfortune1 or transgression1 whichever it might be4 ,but he1 behind her close-pressed hands1 endowed her with a face akin to his own3 she became his sister1 as were all the poor creatures without roof or certainty who weep because they are naked and alone1 and wear out their strength in seeking to force the wicked thresholds of men4 ,he could never gaze at her without pitying her1 and it stirred him so much that evening to find her ever so unknown1 nameless and visageless1 yet steeped in the most bitter tears1 that he suddenly began to question his companion4 ,tell me1 said he1 do you know who painted that old picture8 ,it stirs me to the soul like a masterpiece4 ,stupefied by this unexpected question1 the secretary raised his head and looked1 feeling yet more astonished when he had examined the blackened1 forsaken panel in its sorry frame4 ,where did it come from8 resumed ,pierre2 why has it been stowed away in this room8 ,oh6 replied ,don ,vigilio1 with a gesture of indifference1 it's nothing4 ,there are heaps of valueless old paintings everywhere4 ,that one1 no doubt1 has always been here4 ,but ,i don't know2 ,i never noticed it before4 ,whilst speaking he had at last risen to his feet1 and this simple action had brought on such a fit of shivering that he could scarcely take leave1 so violently did his teeth chatter with fever4 ,no1 no1 don't show me out1 he stammered1 keep the lamp here4 ,and to conclude3 the best course is for you to leave yourself in the hands of ,monsignor ,nani1 for he1 at all events1 is a superior man4 ,i told you on your arrival that1 whether you would or not1 you would end by doing as he desired4 ,and so what's the use of struggling8 ,and mind1 not a word of our conversation to-night2 it would mean my death4 ,then he noiselessly opened the doors1 glanced distrustfully into the darkness of the passage1 and at last ventured out and disappeared1 regaining his own room with such soft steps that not the faintest footfall was heard amidst the tomb-like slumber of the old mansion4 ,on the morrow1 ,pierre1 again mastered by a desire to fight on to the very end1 got ,don ,vigilio to recommend him to the ,pope's confessor1 the ,franciscan friar with whom the secretary was slightly acquainted4 ,however1 this friar proved to be an extremely timid if worthy man1 selected precisely on account of his great modesty1 simplicity1 and absolute lack of influence in order that he might not abuse his position with respect to the ,holy ,father4 ,and doubtless there was an affectation of humility on the latter's part in taking for confessor a member of the humblest of the regular orders1 a friend of the poor1 a holy beggar of the roads4 ,at the same time the friar certainly enjoyed a reputation for oratory2 and hidden by a veil the ,pope at times listened to his sermons2 for although as infallible ,sovereign ,pontiff ,leo ,,xiii could not receive lessons from any priest1 it was admitted that as a man he might reap profit by listening to good discourse4 ,nevertheless apart from his natural eloquence1 the worthy friar was really a mere washer of souls1 a confessor who listens and absolves without even remembering the impurities which he removes in the waters of penitence4 ,and ,pierre1 finding him really so poor and such a cipher1 did not insist on an intervention which he realised would be futile4 ,all that day the young priest was haunted by the figure of that ingenuous lover of poverty1 that delicious ,st4 ,francis1 as ,narcisse ,habert was wont to say4 ,pierre had often wondered how such an apostle1 so gentle towards both animate and inanimate creation1 and so full of ardent charity for the wretched1 could have arisen in a country of egotism and enjoyment like ,italy1 where the love of beauty alone has remained queen4 ,doubtless the times have changed2 yet what a strong sap of love must have been needed in the old days1 during the great sufferings of the middle ages1 for such a consoler of the humble to spring from the popular soil and preach the gift of self to others1 the renunciation of wealth1 the horror of brutal force1 the equality and obedience which would ensure the peace of the world4 ,st4 ,francis trod the roads clad as one of the poorest1 a rope girdling his grey gown and his bare feet shod with sandals1 and he carried with him neither purse nor staff4 ,and he and his brethren spoke aloud and freely1 with sovereign florescence of poetry and boldness of truth1 attacking the rich and the powerful1 and daring even to denounce the priests of evil life1 the debauched1 simoniacal1 and perjured bishops4 ,a long cry of relief greeted the ,franciscans1 the people followed them in crowds--they were the friends1 the liberators of all the humble ones who suffered4 ,and thus1 like revolutionaries1 they at first so alarmed ,rome1 that the popes hesitated to authorise their ,order4 ,when they at last gave way it was assuredly with the hope of using this new force for their own profit1 by conquering the whole vague mass of the lowly whose covert threats have ever growled through the ages1 even in the most despotic times4 ,and thenceforward in the sons of ,st4 ,francis the ,church possessed an ever victorious army--a wandering army which spread over the roads1 in the villages and through the towns1 penetrating to the firesides of artisan and peasant1 and gaining possession of all simple hearts4 ,how great the democratic power of such an ,order which had sprung from the very entrails of the people6 ,and thence its rapid prosperity1 its teeming growth in a few years1 friaries arising upon all sides1 and the third ,order99 so invading the secular population as to impregnate and absorb it4 ,and that there was here a genuine growth of the soil1 a vigorous vegetation of the plebeian stock was shown by an entire national art arising from it--the precursors of the ,renascence in painting and even ,dante himself1 the soul of ,italia's genius4 99 ,the ,franciscans1 like the ,dominicans and others1 admit1 in addition to the two ,orders of friars and nuns1 a third ,order comprising devout persons of either sex who have neither the vocation nor the opportunity for cloistered life1 but live in the world1 privately observing the chief principles of the fraternity with which they are connected4 ,in central and southern ,europe members of these third ,orders are still numerous4--,trans4 ,for some days now1 in the ,rome of the present time1 ,pierre had been coming into contact with those great ,orders of the past4 ,the ,franciscans and the ,dominicans were there face to face in their vast convents of prosperous aspect4 ,but it seemed as if the humility of the ,franciscans had in the long run deprived them of influence4 ,perhaps1 too1 their _/role_/ as friends and liberators of the people was ended since the people now undertook to liberate itself4 ,and so the only real remaining battle was between the ,dominicans and the ,jesuits1 both of whom still claimed to mould the world according to their particular views4 ,warfare between them was incessant1 and ,rome--the supreme power at the ,vatican--was ever the prize for which they contended4 ,but1 although the ,dominicans had ,st4 ,thomas on their side1 they must have felt that their old dogmatic science was crumbling1 compelled as they were each day to surrender a little ground to the ,jesuits whose principles accorded better with the spirit of the century4 ,and1 in addition to these1 there were the white-robed ,carthusians1 those very holy1 pure1 and silent meditators who fled from the world into quiet cells and cloisters1 those despairing and consoled ones whose numbers may decrease but whose ,order will live for ever1 even as grief and desire for solitude will live4 ,and then there were the ,benedictines whose admirable rules have sanctified labour1 passionate toilers in literature and science1 once powerful instruments of civilisation1 enlarging universal knowledge by their immense historical and critical works4 ,these ,pierre loved1 and with them would have sought a refuge two centuries earlier1 yet he was astonished to find them building on the ,aventine a huge dwelling1 for which ,leo ,,xiii has already given millions1 as if the science of to-day and to-morrow were yet a field where they might garner harvests4 ,but _/cui bono_/1 when the workmen have changed1 and dogmas are there to bar the road--dogmas which totter1 no doubt1 but which believers may not fling aside in order to pass onward8 ,and finally came the swarm of less important ,orders1 hundreds in number2 there were the ,carmelites1 the ,trappists1 the ,minims1 the ,barnabites1 the ,lazzarists1 the ,eudists1 the ,mission ,fathers1 the ,servites1 the ,brothers of the ,christian ,doctrine2 there were the ,bernadines1 the ,augustinians1 the ,theatines1 the ,observants1 the ,passionists1 the ,celestines1 and the ,capuchins1 without counting the corresponding ,orders of women or the ,poor ,clares1 or the innumerable nuns like those of the ,visitation and the ,calvary4 ,each community had its modest or sumptuous dwelling1 certain districts of ,rome were entirely composed of convents1 and behind the silent lifeless facades all those people buzzed1 intrigued1 and waged the everlasting warfare of rival interests and passions4 ,the social evolution which produced them had long since ceased1 still they obstinately sought to prolong their life1 growing weaker and more useless day by day1 destined to a slow agony until the time shall come when the new development of society will leave them neither foothold nor breathing space4 ,and it was not only with the regulars that ,pierre came in contact during his peregrinations through ,rome2 indeed1 he more particularly had to deal with the secular clergy1 and learnt to know them well4 ,a hierarchical system which was still vigorously enforced maintained them in various ranks and classes4 ,up above1 around the ,pope1 reigned the pontifical family1 the high and noble cardinals and prelates whose conceit was great in spite of their apparent familiarity4 ,below them the parish clergy formed a very worthy middle class of wise and moderate minds2 and here patriot priests were not rare4 ,moreover1 the ,italian occupation of a quarter of a century1 by installing in the city a world of functionaries who saw everything that went on1 had1 curiously enough1 greatly purified the private life of the ,roman priesthood1 in which under the popes women1 beyond all question1 played a supreme part4 ,and finally one came to the plebeian clergy whom ,pierre studied with curiosity1 a collection of wretched1 grimy1 half-naked priests who like famished animals prowled around in search of masses1 and drifted into disreputable taverns in the company of beggars and thieves4 ,however1 he was more interested by the floating population of foreign priests from all parts of ,christendom--the adventurers1 the ambitious ones1 the believers1 the madmen whom ,rome attracted just as a lamp at night time attracts the insects of the gloom4 ,among these were men of every nationality1 position1 and age1 all lashed on by their appetites and scrambling from morn till eve around the ,vatican1 in order to snap at the prey which they hoped to secure4 ,he found them everywhere1 and told himself with some shame that he was one of them1 that the unit of his own personality served to increase the incredible number of cassocks that one encountered in the streets4 ,ah6 that ebb and flow1 that ceaseless tide of black gowns and frocks of every hue6 ,with their processions of students ever walking abroad1 the seminaries of the different nations would alone have sufficed to drape and decorate the streets1 for there were the ,french and the ,english all in black1 the ,south ,americans in black with blue sashes1 the ,north ,americans in black with red sashes1 the ,poles in black with green sashes1 the ,greeks in blue1 the ,germans in red1 the ,scots in violet1 the ,romans in black or violet or purple1 the ,bohemians with chocolate sashes1 the ,irish with red lappets1 the ,spaniards with blue cords1 to say nothing of all the others with broidery and bindings and buttons in a hundred different styles4 ,and in addition there were the confraternities1 the penitents1 white1 black1 blue1 and grey1 with sleeveless frocks and capes of different hue1 grey1 blue1 black1 or white4 ,and thus even nowadays ,papal ,rome at times seemed to resuscitate1 and one could realise how tenaciously and vivaciously she struggled on in order that she might not disappear in the cosmopolitan ,rome of the new era4 ,however1 ,pierre1 whilst running about from one prelate to another1 frequenting priests and crossing churches1 could not accustom himself to the worship1 the ,roman piety which astonished him when it did not wound him4 ,one rainy ,sunday morning1 on entering ,santa ,maria ,maggiore1 he fancied himself in some waiting-room1 a very splendid one1 no doubt1 but where ,god seemed to have no habitation4 ,there was not a bench1 not a chair in the nave1 across which people passed1 as they might pass through a railway station1 wetting and soiling the precious mosaic pavement with their muddy shoes2 and tired women and children sat round the bases of the columns1 even as in railway stations one sees people sitting and waiting for their trains during the great crushes of the holiday season4 ,and for this tramping throng of folks of small degree1 who had looked in _/en passant_/1 a priest was saying a low mass in a side chapel1 before which a narrow file of standing people had gathered1 extending across the nave1 and recalling the crowds which wait in front of theatres for the opening of the doors4 ,at the elevation of the host one and all inclined themselves devoutly1 but almost immediately afterwards the gathering dispersed4 ,and indeed why linger8 ,the mass was said4 ,pierre everywhere found the same form of attendance1 peculiar to the countries of the sun2 the worshippers were in a hurry and only favoured the ,deity with short familiar visits1 unless it were a question of some gala scene at ,san ,paolo or ,san ,giovanni in ,laterano or some other of the old basilicas4 ,it was only at the ,gesu1 on another ,sunday morning1 that the young priest came upon a high-mass congregation1 which reminded him of the devout throngs of the ,north4 ,here there were benches and women seated1 a worldly warmth and cosiness under the luxurious1 gilded1 carved1 and painted roof1 whose tawny splendour is very fine now that time has toned down the eccentricities of the decoration4 ,but how many of the churches were empty1 among them some of the most ancient and venerable1 ,san ,clemente1 ,sant' ,agnese1 ,santa ,croce in ,gerusalemme1 where during the offices one saw but a few believers of the neighbourhood4 ,four hundred churches were a good many for even ,rome to people2 and1 indeed1 some were merely attended on fixed ceremonial occasions1 and a good many merely opened their doors once every year--on the feast day1 that is1 of their patron saint4 ,some also subsisted on the lucky possession of a fetish1 an idol compassionate to human sufferings4 ,santa ,maria in ,ara ,coeli possessed the miraculous little ,jesus1 the ,bambino1 who healed sick children1 and ,sant' ,agostino had the ,madonna del ,parto1 who grants a happy delivery to mothers4 ,then others were renowned for the holy water of their fonts1 the oil of their lamps1 the power of some wooden saint or marble virgin4 ,others again seemed forsaken1 given up to tourists and the perquisites of beadles1 like mere museums peopled with dead gods3 ,finally others disturbed one's faith by the suggestiveness of their aspects1 as1 for instance1 that ,santa ,maria ,rotonda1 which is located in the ,pantheon1 a circular hall recalling a circus1 where the ,virgin remains the evident tenant of the ,olympian deities4 ,pierre took no little interest in the churches of the poor districts1 but did not find there the keen faith and the throngs he had hoped for4 ,one afternoon1 at ,santa ,maria in ,trastevere1 he heard the choir in full song1 but the church was quite empty1 and the chant had a most lugubrious sound in such a desert4 ,then1 another day1 on entering ,san ,crisogono1 he found it draped1 probably in readiness for some festival on the morrow4 ,the columns were cased with red damask1 and between them were hangings and curtains alternately yellow and blue1 white and red2 and the young man fled from such a fearful decoration as gaudy as that of a fair booth4 ,ah6 how far he was from the cathedrals where in childhood he had believed and prayed6 ,on all sides he found the same type of church1 the antique basilica accommodated to the taste of eighteenth-century ,rome4 ,though the style of ,san ,luigi dei ,francesi is better1 more soberly elegant1 the only thing that touched him even there was the thought of the heroic or saintly ,frenchmen1 who sleep in foreign soil beneath the flags4 ,and as he sought for something ,gothic1 he ended by going to see ,santa ,maria sopra ,minerva199 which1 he was told1 was the only example of the ,gothic style in ,rome4 ,here his stupefaction attained a climax at sight of the clustering columns cased in stucco imitating marble1 the ogives which dared not soar1 the rounded vaults condemned to the heavy majesty of the dome style4 ,no1 no1 thought he1 the faith whose cooling cinders lingered there was no longer that whose brazier had invaded and set all ,christendom aglow6 ,however1 ,monsignor ,fornaro whom he chanced to meet as he was leaving the church1 inveighed against the ,gothic style as rank heresy4 ,the first ,christian church1 said the prelate1 had been the basilica1 which had sprung from the temple1 and it was blasphemy to assert that the ,gothic cathedral was the real ,christian house of prayer1 for ,gothic embodied the hateful ,anglo-,saxon spirit1 the rebellious genius of ,luther4 ,at this a passionate reply rose to ,pierre's lips1 but he said nothing for fear that he might say too much4 ,however1 he asked himself whether in all this there was not a decisive proof that ,catholicism was the very vegetation of ,rome1 ,paganism modified by ,christianity4 ,elsewhere ,christianity has grown up in quite a different spirit1 to such a point that it has risen in rebellion and schismatically turned against the mother-city4 ,and the breach has ever gone on widening1 the dissemblance has become more and more marked2 and amidst the evolution of new societies1 yet a fresh schism appears inevitable and proximate in spite of all the despairing efforts to maintain union4 99 ,so called because it occupies the site of a temple to ,minerva4--,trans4 ,while ,pierre thus visited the ,roman churches1 he also continued his efforts to gain support in the matter of his book1 his irritation tending to such stubbornness1 that if in the first instance he failed to obtain an interview1 he went back again and again to secure one1 steadfastly keeping his promise to call in turn upon each cardinal of the ,congregation of the ,index4 ,and as a cardinal may belong to several ,congregations1 it resulted that he gradually found himself roaming through those former ministries of the old pontifical government which1 if less numerous than formerly1 are still very intricate institutions1 each with its cardinal-prefect1 its cardinal-members1 its consultative prelates1 and its numerous employees4 ,pierre repeatedly had to return to the ,cancelleria1 where the ,congregation of the ,index meets1 and lost himself in its world of staircases1 corridors1 and halls4 ,from the moment he passed under the porticus he was overcome by the icy shiver which fell from the old walls1 and was quite unable to appreciate the bare1 frigid beauty of the palace1 ,bramante's masterpiece though it be1 so purely typical of the ,roman ,renascence4 ,he also knew the ,propaganda where he had seen ,cardinal ,sarno2 and1 sent as he was hither and thither1 in his efforts to gain over influential prelates1 chance made him acquainted with the other ,congregations1 that of the ,bishops and ,regulars1 that of the ,rites and that of the ,council4 ,he even obtained a glimpse of the ,consistorial1 the ,dataria199 and the sacred ,penitentiary4 ,all these formed part of the administrative mechanism of the ,church under its several aspects--the government of the ,catholic world1 the enlargement of the ,church's conquests1 the administration of its affairs in conquered countries1 the decision of all questions touching faith1 morals1 and individuals1 the investigation and punishment of offences1 the grant of dispensations and the sale of favours4 ,one can scarcely imagine what a fearful number of affairs are each morning submitted to the ,vatican1 questions of the greatest gravity1 delicacy1 and intricacy1 the solution of which gives rise to endless study and research4 ,it is necessary to reply to the innumerable visitors who flock to ,rome from all parts1 and to the letters1 the petitions1 and the batches of documents which are submitted and require to be distributed among the various offices4 ,and ,pierre was struck by the deep and discreet silence in which all this colossal labour was accomplished2 not a sound reaching the streets from the tribunals1 parliaments1 and factories for the manufacture of saints and nobles1 whose mechanism was so well greased1 that in spite of the rust of centuries and the deep and irremediable wear and tear1 the whole continued working without clank or creak to denote its presence behind the walls4 ,and did not that silence embody the whole policy of the ,church1 which is to remain mute and await developments8 ,nevertheless what a prodigious mechanism it was1 antiquated no doubt1 but still so powerful6 ,and amidst those ,congregations how keenly ,pierre felt himself to be in the grip of the most absolute power ever devised for the domination of mankind4 ,however much he might notice signs of decay and coming ruin he was none the less seized1 crushed1 and carried off by that huge engine made up of vanity and venality1 corruption and ambition1 meanness and greatness4 ,and how far1 too1 he now was from the ,rome that he had dreamt of1 and what anger at times filled him amidst his weariness1 as he persevered in his resolve to defend himself6 99 ,it is from the ,dataria that bulls1 rescripts1 letters of appointment to benefices1 and dispensations of marriage1 are issued1 after the affixture of the date and formula _/,datum ,romae_/1 ,given at ,rome4--,trans4 ,all at once certain things which he had never understood were explained to him4 ,one day1 when he returned to the ,propaganda1 ,cardinal ,sarno spoke to him of ,freemasonry with such icy rage that he was abruptly enlightened4 ,freemasonry had hitherto made him smile2 he had believed in it no more than he had believed in the ,jesuits4 ,indeed1 he had looked upon the ridiculous stories which were current--the stories of mysterious1 shadowy men who governed the world with secret incalculable power--as mere childish legends4 ,in particular he had been amazed by the blind hatred which maddened certain people as soon as ,freemasonry was mentioned4 ,however1 a very distinguished and intelligent prelate had declared to him1 with an air of profound conviction1 that at least on one occasion every year each masonic ,lodge was presided over by the ,devil in person1 incarnate in a visible shape6 ,and now1 by ,cardinal ,sarno's remarks1 he understood the rivalry1 the furious struggle of the ,roman ,catholic ,church against that other ,church1 the ,church of over the way499 ,although the former counted on her own triumph1 she none the less felt that the other1 the ,church of ,freemasonry1 was a competitor1 a very ancient enemy1 who indeed claimed to be more ancient than herself1 and whose victory always remained a possibility4 ,and the friction between them was largely due to the circumstance that they both aimed at universal sovereignty1 and had a similar international organisation1 a similar net thrown over the nations1 and in a like way mysteries1 dogmas1 and rites4 ,it was deity against deity1 faith against faith1 conquest against conquest3 and so1 like competing tradesmen in the same street1 they were a source of mutual embarrassment1 and one of them was bound to kill the other4 ,but if ,roman ,catholicism seemed to ,pierre to be worn out and threatened with ruin1 he remained quite as sceptical with regard to the power of ,freemasonry4 ,he had made inquiries as to the reality of that power in ,rome1 where both ,grand ,master and ,pope were enthroned1 one in front of the other4 ,he was certainly told that the last ,roman princes had thought themselves compelled to become ,freemasons in order to render their own difficult position somewhat easier and facilitate the future of their sons4 ,but was this true8 had they not simply yielded to the force of the present social evolution8 ,and would not ,freemasonry eventually be submerged by its own triumph--that of the ideas of justice1 reason1 and truth1 which it had defended through the dark and violent ages of history8 ,it is a thing which constantly happens2 the victory of an idea kills the sect which has propagated it1 and renders the apparatus with which the members of the sect surrounded themselves1 in order to fire imaginations1 both useless and somewhat ridiculous4 ,carbonarism did not survive the conquest of the political liberties which it demanded2 and on the day when the ,catholic ,church crumbles1 having accomplished its work of civilisation1 the other ,church1 the ,freemasons' ,church of across the road1 will in a like way disappear1 its task of liberation ended4 ,nowadays the famous power of the ,lodges1 hampered by traditions1 weakened by a ceremonial which provokes laughter1 and reduced to a simple bond of brotherly agreement and mutual assistance1 would be but a sorry weapon of conquest for humanity1 were it not that the vigorous breath of science impels the nations onwards and helps to destroy the old religions4 99 ,some readers may think the above passages an exaggeration1 but such is not the case4 ,the hatred with which the ,catholic priesthood1 especially in ,italy1 ,spain1 and ,france1 regards ,freemasonry is remarkable4 ,at the moment of writing these lines ,i have before me several ,french clerical newspapers1 which contain the most abusive articles levelled against ,president ,faure solely because he is a ,freemason4 ,one of these prints1 a leading journal of ,lyons1 tells the ,french ,president that he cannot serve both ,god and the ,devil2 and that if he cannot give up ,freemasonry he would do well to cease desecrating the abode of the ,deity by his attendance at divine service4--,trans4 ,however1 all ,pierre's journeyings and applications brought him no certainty2 and1 while stubbornly clinging to ,rome1 intent on fighting to the very end1 like a soldier who will not believe in the possibility of defeat1 he remained as anxious as ever4 ,he had seen all the cardinals whose influence could be of use to him4 ,he had seen the ,cardinal ,vicar1 entrusted with the diocese of ,rome1 who1 like the man of letters he was1 had spoken to him of ,horace1 and1 like a somewhat blundering politician1 had questioned him about ,france1 the ,republic1 the ,army1 and the ,navy ,estimates1 without dealing in the slightest degree with the incriminated book4 ,he had also seen the ,grand ,penitentiary1 that tall old man1 with fleshless1 ascetic face1 of whom he had previously caught a glimpse at the ,boccanera mansion1 and from whom he now only drew a long and severe sermon on the wickedness of young priests1 whom the century had perverted and who wrote most abominable books4 ,finally1 at the ,vatican1 he had seen the ,cardinal ,secretary1 in some wise his ,holiness's ,minister of ,foreign ,affairs1 the great power of the ,holy ,see1 whom he had hitherto been prevented from approaching by terrifying warnings as to the possible result of an unfavourable reception4 ,however1 whilst apologising for calling at such a late stage1 he had found himself in presence of a most amiable man1 whose somewhat rough appearance was softened by diplomatic affability1 and who1 after making him sit down1 questioned him with an air of interest1 listened to him1 and even spoke some words of comfort4 ,nevertheless1 on again reaching the ,piazza of ,st4 ,peter's1 ,pierre well understood that his affair had not made the slightest progress1 and that if he ever managed to force the ,pope's door1 it would not be by way of the ,secretariate of ,state4 ,and that evening he returned home quite exhausted by so many visits1 in such distraction at feeling that little by little he had been wholly caught in that huge mechanism with its hundred wheels1 that he asked himself in terror what he should do on the morrow now that there remained nothing for him to do--unless1 indeed1 it were to go mad4 ,however1 meeting ,don ,vigilio in a passage of the house1 he again wished to ask him for some good advice4 ,but the secretary1 who had a gleam of terror in his eyes1 silenced him1 he knew not why1 with an anxious gesture4 ,and then in a whisper1 in ,pierre's ear1 he said3 ,have you seen ,monsignor ,nani8 ,no6 ,well1 go to see him1 go to see him4 ,i repeat that you have nothing else to do6 ,pierre yielded4 ,and indeed why should he have resisted8 ,apart from the motives of ardent charity which had brought him to ,rome to defend his book1 was he not there for a self-educating1 experimental purpose8 ,it was necessary that he should carry his attempts to the very end4 ,on the morrow1 when he reached the colonnade of ,st4 ,peter's1 the hour was so early that he had to wait there awhile4 ,he had never better realised the enormity of those four curving rows of columns1 forming a forest of gigantic stone trunks among which nobody ever promenades4 ,in fact1 the spot is a grandiose and dreary desert1 and one asks oneself the why and wherefore of such a majestic porticus4 ,doubtless1 however1 it was for its sole majesty1 for the mere pomp of decoration1 that this colonnade was reared2 and therein1 again1 one finds the whole ,roman spirit4 ,however1 ,pierre at last turned into the ,via di ,sant' ,offizio1 and passing the sacristy of ,st4 ,peter's1 found himself before the ,palace of the ,holy ,office in a solitary silent district1 which the footfall of pedestrians or the rumble of wheels but seldom disturbs4 ,the sun alone lives there1 in sheets of light which spread slowly over the small1 white paving4 ,you divine the vicinity of the ,basilica1 for there is a smell as of incense1 a cloisteral quiescence as of the slumber of centuries4 ,and at one corner the ,palace of the ,holy ,office rises up with heavy1 disquieting bareness1 only a single row of windows piercing its lofty1 yellow front4 ,the wall which skirts a side street looks yet more suspicious with its row of even smaller casements1 mere peep-holes with glaucous panes4 ,in the bright sunlight this huge cube of mud-coloured masonry ever seems asleep1 mysterious1 and closed like a prison1 with scarcely an aperture for communication with the outer world4 ,pierre shivered1 but then smiled as at an act of childishness1 for he reflected that the ,holy ,roman and ,universal ,inquisition1 nowadays the ,sacred ,congregation of the ,holy ,office1 was no longer the institution it had been1 the purveyor of heretics for the stake1 the occult tribunal beyond appeal which had right of life and death over all mankind4 ,true1 it still laboured in secrecy1 meeting every ,wednesday1 and judging and condemning without a sound issuing from within its walls4 ,but on the other hand if it still continued to strike at the crime of heresy1 if it smote men as well as their works1 it no longer possessed either weapons or dungeons1 steel or fire to do its bidding1 but was reduced to a mere _/role_/ of protest1 unable to inflict aught but disciplinary penalties even upon the ecclesiastics of its own ,church4 ,when ,pierre on entering was ushered into the reception-room of ,monsignor ,nani who1 as assessor1 lived in the palace1 he experienced an agreeable surprise4 ,the apartment faced the south1 and was spacious and flooded with sunshine4 ,and stiff as was the furniture1 dark as were the hangings1 an exquisite sweetness pervaded the room1 as though a woman had lived in it and accomplished the prodigy of imparting some of her own grace to all those stern-looking things4 ,there were no flowers1 yet there was a pleasant smell4 ,a charm expanded and conquered every heart from the very threshold4 ,monsignor ,nani at once came forward1 with a smile on his rosy face1 his blue eyes keenly glittering1 and his fine light hair powdered by age4 ,with hands outstretched1 he exclaimed3 ,ah6 how kind of you to have come to see me1 my dear son6 ,come1 sit down1 let us have a friendly chat4 ,then with an extraordinary display of affection1 he began to question ,pierre3 ,how are you getting on8 ,tell me all about it1 exactly what you have done4 ,touched in spite of ,don ,vigilio's revelations1 won over by the sympathy which he fancied he could detect1 ,pierre thereupon confessed himself1 relating his visits to ,cardinal ,sarno1 ,monsignor ,fornaro and ,father ,dangelis1 his applications to all the influential cardinals1 those of the ,index1 the ,grand ,penitentiary1 the ,cardinal ,vicar1 and the ,cardinal ,secretary2 and dwelling on his endless journeys from door to door through all the ,congregations and all the clergy1 that huge1 active1 silent bee-hive amidst which he had wearied his feet1 exhausted his limbs1 and bewildered his poor brain4 ,and at each successive ,station of this ,calvary of entreaty1 ,monsignor ,nani1 who seemed to listen with an air of rapture1 exclaimed3 ,but that's very good1 that's capital6 ,oh6 your affair is progressing4 ,yes1 yes1 it's progressing marvellously well4 ,he was exultant1 though he allowed no unseemly irony to appear1 while his pleasant1 penetrating eyes fathomed the young priest1 to ascertain if he had been brought to the requisite degree of obedience4 ,had he been sufficiently wearied1 disillusioned and instructed in the reality of things1 for one to finish with him8 ,had three months' sojourn in ,rome sufficed to turn the somewhat mad enthusiast of the first days into an unimpassioned or at least resigned being8 ,however1 all at once ,monsignor ,nani remarked3 ,but1 my dear son1 you tell me nothing of his ,eminence ,cardinal ,sanguinetti4 ,the fact is1 ,monseigneur1 that his ,eminence is at ,frascati1 so ,i have been unable to see him4 ,thereupon the prelate1 as if once more postponing the _/denouement_/ with the secret enjoyment of an artistic _/diplomate_/1 began to protest1 raising his little plump hands with the anxious air of a man who considers everything lost3 ,oh6 but you must see his ,eminence2 it is absolutely necessary6 ,think of it6 ,the ,prefect of the ,index6 ,we can only act after your visit to him1 for as you have not seen _/him_/ it is as if you had seen nobody4 ,go1 go to ,frascati1 my dear son4 ,and thereupon ,pierre could only bow and reply3 ,i will go1 ,monseigneur4 ,,xi ,,although ,pierre knew that he would be unable to see ,cardinal ,sanguinetti before eleven o'clock1 he nevertheless availed himself of an early train1 so that it was barely nine when he alighted at the little station of ,frascati4 ,he had already visited the place during his enforced idleness1 when he had made the classical excursion to the ,roman castles which extend from ,frascati to ,rocco di ,papa1 and from ,rocco di ,papa to ,monte ,cavo1 and he was now delighted with the prospect of strolling for a couple of hours along those first slopes of the ,alban hills1 where1 amidst rushes1 olives1 and vines1 ,frascati1 like a promontory1 overlooks the immense ruddy sea of the ,campagna even as far as ,rome1 which1 six full leagues away1 wears the whitish aspect of a marble isle4 ,ah6 that charming ,frascati1 on its greeny knoll at the foot of the wooded ,tusculan heights1 with its famous terrace whence one enjoys the finest view in the world1 its old patrician villas with proud and elegant ,renascence facades and magnificent parks1 which1 planted with cypress1 pine1 and ilex1 are for ever green6 ,there was a sweetness1 a delight1 a fascination about the spot1 of which ,pierre would have never wearied4 ,and for more than an hour he had wandered blissfully along roads edged with ancient1 knotty olive-trees1 along dingle ways shaded by the spreading foliage of neighbouring estates1 and along perfumed paths1 at each turn of which the ,campagna was seen stretching far away1 when all at once he was accosted by a person whom he was both surprised and annoyed to meet4 ,he had strolled down to some low ground near the railway station1 some old vineyards where a number of new houses had been built of recent years1 and suddenly saw a stylish pair-horse victoria1 coming from the direction of ,rome1 draw up close by1 whilst its occupant called to him3 ,what6 ,monsieur l',abbe ,froment1 are you taking a walk here1 at this early hour8 ,thereupon ,pierre recognised ,count ,luigi ,prada1 who alighted1 shook hands with him and began to walk beside him1 whilst the empty carriage went on in advance4 ,and forthwith the ,count explained his tastes3 ,i seldom take the train1 he said1 ,i drive over4 ,it gives my horses an outing4 ,i have interests over here as you may know1 a big building enterprise which is unfortunately not progressing very well4 ,and so1 although the season is advanced1 ,i'm obliged to come rather more frequently than ,i care to do4 ,as ,prada suggested1 ,pierre was acquainted with the story4 ,the ,boccaneras had been obliged to sell a sumptuous villa which a cardinal of their family had built at ,frascati in accordance with the plans of ,giacomo della ,porta1 during the latter part of the sixteenth century3 a regal summer-residence it had been1 finely wooded1 with groves and basins and cascades1 and in particular a famous terrace projecting like a cape above the ,roman ,campagna whose expanse stretches from the ,sabine mountains to the ,mediterranean sands4 ,through the division of the property1 ,benedetta had inherited from her mother some very extensive vineyards below ,frascati1 and these she had brought as dowry to ,prada at the very moment when the building mania was extending from ,rome into the provinces4 ,and thereupon ,prada had conceived the idea of erecting on the spot a number of middle-class villas like those which litter the suburbs of ,paris4 ,few purchasers1 however1 had come forward1 the financial crash had supervened1 and he was now with difficulty liquidating this unlucky business1 having indemnified his wife at the time of their separation4 ,and then1 he continued1 addressing ,pierre1 one can come and go as one likes with a carriage1 whereas1 on taking the train1 one is at the mercy of the time table4 ,this morning1 for instance1 ,i have appointments with contractors1 experts1 and lawyers1 and ,i have no notion how long they will keep me4 ,it's a wonderful country1 isn't it8 ,and we are quite right to be proud of it in ,rome4 ,although ,i may have some worries just now1 ,i can never set foot here without my heart beating with delight4 ,a circumstance which he did not mention1 was that his _/amica_/1 ,lisbeth ,kauffmann1 had spent the summer in one of the newly erected villas1 where she had installed her studio and had been visited by all the foreign colony1 which tolerated her irregular position on account of her gay spirits and artistic talent4 ,indeed1 people had even ended by accepting the outcome of her connection with ,prada1 and a fortnight previously she had returned to ,rome1 and there given birth to a son--an event which had again revived all the scandalous tittle-tattle respecting ,benedetta's divorce suit4 ,and ,prada's attachment to ,frascati doubtless sprang from the recollection of the happy hours he had spent there1 and the joyful pride with which the birth of the boy inspired him4 ,pierre1 for his part1 felt ill at ease in the young ,count's presence1 for he had an instinctive hatred of money-mongers and men of prey4 ,nevertheless1 he desired to respond to his amiability1 and so inquired after his father1 old ,orlando1 the hero of the ,liberation4 ,oh6 replied ,prada1 excepting for his legs he's in wonderfully good health4 ,he'll live a hundred years4 ,poor father6 ,i should so much have liked to install him in one of these little houses1 last summer4 ,but ,i could not get him to consent2 he's determined not to leave ,rome2 he's afraid1 perhaps1 that it might be taken away from him during his absence4 ,then the young ,count burst into a laugh1 quite merry at the thought of jeering at the heroic but no longer fashionable age of independence4 ,and afterwards he said1 ,my father was speaking of you again only yesterday1 ,monsieur l',abbe4 ,he is astonished that he has not seen you lately4 ,this distressed ,pierre1 for he had begun to regard ,orlando with respectful affection4 ,since his first visit1 he had twice called on the old hero1 but the latter had refused to broach the subject of ,rome so long as his young friend should not have seen1 felt1 and understood everything4 ,there would be time for a talk later on1 said he1 when they were both in a position to formulate their conclusions4 ,pray tell ,count ,orlando1 responded ,pierre1 that ,i have not forgotten him1 and that1 if ,i have deferred a fresh visit1 it is because ,i desire to satisfy him4 ,however1 ,i certainly will not leave ,rome without going to tell him how deeply his kind greeting has touched me4 ,whilst talking1 the two men slowly followed the ascending road past the newly erected villas1 several of which were not yet finished4 ,and when ,prada learned that the priest had come to call on ,cardinal ,sanguinetti1 he again laughed1 with the laugh of a good-natured wolf1 showing his white fangs4 ,true1 he exclaimed1 the ,cardinal has been here since the ,pope has been laid up4 ,ah6 you'll find him in a pretty fever4 ,why8 ,why1 because there's bad news about the ,holy ,father this morning4 ,when ,i left ,rome it was rumoured that he had spent a fearful night4 ,so speaking1 ,prada halted at a bend of the road1 not far from an antique chapel1 a little church of solitary1 mournful grace of aspect1 on the verge of an olive grove4 ,beside it stood a ruinous building1 the old parsonage1 no doubt1 whence there suddenly emerged a tall1 knotty priest with coarse and earthy face1 who1 after roughly locking the door1 went off in the direction of the town4 ,ah6 resumed the ,count in a tone of raillery1 that fellow's heart also must be beating violently2 he's surely gone to your ,cardinal in search of news4 ,pierre had looked at the priest4 ,i know him1 he replied2 ,i saw him1 ,i remember1 on the day after my arrival at ,cardinal ,boccanera's4 ,he brought the ,cardinal a basket of figs and asked him for a certificate in favour of his young brother1 who had been sent to prison for some deed of violence--a knife thrust if ,i recollect rightly4 ,however1 the ,cardinal absolutely refused him the certificate4 ,it's the same man1 said ,prada1 you may depend on it4 ,he was often at the ,villa ,boccanera formerly2 for his young brother was gardener there4 ,but he's now the client1 the creature of ,cardinal ,sanguinetti4 ,santobono his name is1 and he's a curious character1 such as you wouldn't find in ,france1 ,i fancy4 ,he lives all alone in that falling hovel1 and officiates at that old chapel of ,st4 ,mary in the ,fields1 where people don't go to hear mass three times in a year4 ,yes1 it's a perfect sinecure1 which with its stipend of a thousand francs enables him to live there like a peasant philosopher1 cultivating the somewhat extensive garden whose big walls you see yonder4 ,the close to which he called attention stretched down the slope behind the parsonage1 without an aperture1 like some savage place of refuge into which not even the eye could penetrate4 ,and all that could be seen above the left-hand wall was a superb1 gigantic fig-tree1 whose big leaves showed blackly against the clear sky4 ,prada had moved on again1 and continued to speak of ,santobono1 who evidently interested him4 ,fancy1 a patriot priest1 a ,garibaldian6 ,born at ,nemi1 in that yet savage nook among the ,alban hills1 he belonged to the people and was still near to the soil4 ,however1 he had studied1 and knew sufficient history to realise the past greatness of ,rome1 and dream of the re-establishment of ,roman dominion as represented by young ,italy4 ,and he had come to believe1 with passionate fervour1 that only a great pope could realise his dream by seizing upon power1 and then conquering all the other nations4 ,and what could be easier1 since the ,pope commanded millions of ,catholics8 ,did not half ,europe belong to him8 ,france1 ,spain1 and ,austria would give way as soon as they should see him powerful1 dictating laws to the world4 ,germany and ,great ,britain1 indeed all the ,protestant countries1 would also inevitably be conquered1 for the papacy was the only dike that could be opposed to error1 which must some day fatally succumb in its efforts against such a barrier4 ,politically1 however1 ,santobono had declared himself for ,germany1 for he considered that ,france needed to be crushed before she would throw herself into the arms of the ,holy ,father4 ,and thus contradictions and fancies clashed in his foggy brain1 whose burning ideas swiftly turned to violence under the influence of primitive1 racial fierceness4 ,briefly1 the priest was a barbarian upholder of the ,gospel1 a friend of the humble and woeful1 a sectarian of that school which is capable alike of great virtues and great crimes4 ,yes1 concluded ,prada1 he is now devoted to ,cardinal ,sanguinetti because he believes that the latter will prove the great pope of to-morrow1 who is to make ,rome the one capital of the nations4 ,at the same time he doubtless harbours a lower personal ambition1 that of attaining to a canonry or of gaining assistance in the little worries of life1 as when he wished to extricate his brother from trouble4 ,here1 you know1 people stake their luck on a cardinal just as they nurse a 'trey' in the lottery1 and if their cardinal proves the winning number and becomes pope they gain a fortune4 ,and that's why you now see ,santobono striding along yonder1 all anxiety to know if ,leo ,,xiii will die and ,sanguinetti don the tiara4 ,do you think the ,pope so very ill1 then8 asked ,pierre1 both anxious and interested4 ,the ,count smiled and raised both arms3 ,ah6 said he1 can one ever tell8 ,they all get ill when their interest lies that way4 ,however1 ,i believe that the ,pope is this time really indisposed2 a complaint of the bowels1 it is said2 and at his age1 you know1 the slightest indisposition may prove fatal4 ,the two men took a few steps in silence1 then the priest again asked a question3 ,would ,cardinal ,sanguinetti have a great chance if the ,holy ,see were vacant8 ,a great chance6 ,ah6 that's another of those things which one never knows4 ,the truth is people class ,sanguinetti among the acceptable candidates1 and if personal desire sufficed he would certainly be the next pope1 for ambition consumes him to the marrow1 and he displays extraordinary passion and determination in his efforts to succeed4 ,but therein lies his very weakness2 he is using himself up1 and he knows it4 ,and so he must be resolved to every step during the last days of battle4 ,you may be quite sure that if he has shut himself up here at this critical time1 it is in order that he may the better direct his operations from a distance1 whilst at the same time feigning a retreat1 a disinterestedness which is bound to have a good effect4 ,then ,prada began to expatiate on ,sanguinetti with no little complacency1 for he liked the man's spirit of intrigue1 his keen1 conquering appetite1 his excessive1 and even somewhat blundering activity4 ,he had become acquainted with him on his return from the nunciature at ,vienna1 when he had already resolved to win the tiara4 ,that ambition explained everything1 his quarrels and reconciliations with the reigning pope1 his affection for ,germany1 followed by a sudden evolution in the direction of ,france1 his varying attitude with regard to ,italy1 at first a desire for agreement1 and then absolute rejection of all compromises1 a refusal to grant any concession1 so long as ,rome should not be evacuated4 ,this1 indeed1 seemed to be ,sanguinetti's definite position2 he made a show of disliking the wavering sway of ,leo ,,xiii1 and of retaining a fervent admiration for ,pius ,,ix1 the great1 heroic pope of the days of resistance1 whose goodness of heart had proved no impediment to unshakable firmness4 ,and all this was equivalent to a promise that he1 ,sanguinetti1 would again make kindliness exempt from weakness1 the rule of the ,church1 and would steer clear of the dangerous compounding of politics4 ,at bottom1 however1 politics were his only dream1 and he had even formulated a complete programme of intentional vagueness1 which his clients and creatures spread abroad with an air of rapturous mystery4 ,however1 since a previous indisposition of the ,pope's1 during the spring1 he had been living in mortal disquietude1 for it had then been rumoured that the ,jesuits would resign themselves to support ,cardinal ,pio ,boccanera1 although the latter scarcely favoured them4 ,he was rough and stern1 no doubt1 and his extreme bigotry might be a source of danger in this tolerant age2 but1 on the other hand1 was he not a patrician1 and would not his election imply that the papacy would never cease to claim the temporal power8 ,from that moment ,boccanera had been the one man whom ,sanguinetti feared1 for he beheld himself despoiled of his prize1 and spent his time in devising plans to rid himself of such a powerful rival1 repeating abominable stories of ,cardinal ,pio's alleged complaisance with regard to ,benedetta and ,dario1 and incessantly representing him as ,antichrist1 the man of sin1 whose reign would consummate the ruin of the papacy4 ,finally1 to regain the support of the ,jesuits1 ,sanguinetti's last idea was to repeat through his familiars that for his part he would not merely maintain the principle of the temporal power intact1 but would even undertake to regain that power4 ,and he had a full plan on the subject1 which folks confided to one another in whispers1 a plan which1 in spite of its apparent concessions1 would lead to the overwhelming victory of the ,church4 ,it was to raise the prohibition which prevented ,catholics from voting or becoming candidates at the ,italian elections2 to send a hundred1 then two hundred1 and then three hundred deputies to the ,chamber1 and in that wise to overthrow the ,house of ,savoy1 and establish a ,federation of the ,italian provinces1 whereof the ,holy ,father1 once more placed in possession of ,rome1 would become the august and sovereign ,president4 ,as ,prada finished he again laughed1 showing his white teeth--teeth which would never readily relinquish the prey they held4 ,so you see1 he added1 we need to defend ourselves1 since it's a question of turning us out4 ,fortunately1 there are some little obstacles in the way of that4 ,nevertheless1 such dreams naturally have great influence on excited minds1 such as that of ,santobono1 for instance4 ,he's a man whom one word from ,sanguinetti would lead far indeed4 ,ah6 he has good legs4 ,look at him up yonder1 he has already reached the ,cardinal's little palace--that white villa with the sculptured balconies4 ,pierre raised his eyes and perceived the episcopal residence1 which was one of the first houses of ,frascati4 ,of modern construction and ,renascence style1 it overlooked the immensity of the ,roman ,campagna4 ,it was now eleven o'clock1 and as the young priest1 before going up to pay his own visit1 bade the ,count good-bye1 the latter for a moment kept hold of his hand4 ,do you know1 said he1 it would be very kind of you to lunch with me--will you8 ,come and join me at that restaurant yonder with the pink front as soon as you are at liberty4 ,i shall have settled my own business in an hour's time1 and ,i shall be delighted to have your company at table4 ,pierre began by declining1 but he could offer no possible excuse1 and at last surrendered1 won over1 despite himself1 by ,prada's real charm of manner4 ,when they had parted1 the young priest only had to climb a street in order to reach the ,cardinal's door4 ,with his natural expansiveness and craving for popularity1 ,sanguinetti was easy of access1 and at ,frascati in particular his doors were flung open even to the most humble cassocks4 ,so ,pierre was at once ushered in1 a circumstance which somewhat surprised him1 for he remembered the bad humour of the servant whom he had seen on calling at the ,cardinal's residence in ,rome1 when he had been advised to forego the journey1 as his ,eminence did not like to be disturbed when he was ill4 ,however1 nothing spoke of illness in that pleasant villa1 flooded with sunshine4 ,true1 the waiting-room1 where he was momentarily left alone1 displayed neither luxury nor comfort2 but it was brightened by the finest light in the world1 and overlooked that extraordinary ,campagna1 so flat1 so bare1 and so unique in its beauty1 for in front of it one ever dreams and sees the past arise4 ,and so1 whilst waiting1 ,pierre stationed himself at an open window1 conducting on to a balcony1 and his eyes roamed over the endless sea of herbage to the far-away whiteness of ,rome1 above which rose the dome of ,st4 ,peter's1 at that distance a mere sparkling speck1 barely as large as the nail of one's little finger4 ,however1 the young man had scarcely taken up this position when he was surprised to hear some people talking1 their words reaching him with great distinctness4 ,and on leaning forward he realised that his ,eminence in person was standing on another balcony close by1 and conversing with a priest1 only a portion of whose cassock could be seen4 ,still1 this sufficed for ,pierre to recognise ,santobono4 ,his first impulse1 dictated by natural discretion1 was to withdraw from the window1 but the words he next heard riveted him to the spot4 ,we shall know in a moment1 his ,eminence was saying in his full voice4 ,i sent ,eufemio to ,rome1 for he is the only person in whom ,i've any confidence4 ,and see1 there is the train bringing him back4 ,a train1 still as small as a plaything1 could in fact be seen approaching over the vast plain1 and doubtless it was to watch for its arrival that ,sanguinetti had stationed himself on the balcony4 ,and there he lingered1 with his eyes fixed on distant ,rome4 ,then ,santobono1 in a passionate voice1 spoke some words which ,pierre imperfectly understood1 but the ,cardinal with clear articulation rejoined1 ,yes1 yes1 my dear fellow1 a catastrophe would be a great misfortune4 ,ah6 may his ,holiness long be preserved to us4 ,then he paused1 and as he was no hypocrite1 gave full expression to the thoughts which were in his mind3 ,at least1 ,i hope that he will be preserved just now1 for the times are bad1 and ,i am in frightful anguish4 ,the partisans of ,antichrist have lately gained much ground4 ,a cry escaped ,santobono3 ,oh6 your ,eminence will act and triumph4 ,i1 my dear fellow8 ,what would you have me do8 ,i am simply at the disposal of my friends1 those who are willing to believe in me1 with the sole object of ensuring the victory of the ,holy ,see4 ,it is they who ought to act1 it is they--each according to the measure of his means--who ought to bar the road to the wicked in order that the righteous may succeed4 ,ah6 if ,antichrist should reign-- ,the recurrence of this word ,antichrist greatly disturbed ,pierre2 but he suddenly remembered what the ,count had told him3 ,antichrist was ,cardinal ,boccanera4 ,think of that1 my dear fellow1 continued ,sanguinetti4 ,picture ,antichrist at the ,vatican1 consummating the ruin of religion by his implacable pride1 his iron will1 his gloomy passion for nihility2 for there can be no doubt of it1 he is the ,beast of ,death announced by the prophecies1 the ,beast who will expose one and all to the danger of being swallowed up with him in his furious rush into abysmal darkness4 ,i know him2 he only dreams of obstinacy and destruction1 he will seize the pillars of the temple and shake them in order that he may sink beneath the ruins1 he and the whole ,catholic world6 ,in less than six months he will be driven from ,rome1 at strife with all the nations1 execrated by ,italy1 and roaming the world like the phantom of the last pope6 ,it was with a low growl1 suggestive of a stifled oath1 that ,santobono responded to this frightful prediction4 ,but the train had now reached the station1 and among the few passengers who had alighted1 ,pierre could distinguish a little ,abbe1 who was walking so fast that his cassock flapped against his hips4 ,it was ,abbe ,eufemio1 the ,cardinal's secretary1 and when he had perceived his ,eminence on the balcony he lost all self-respect1 and broke into a run1 in order that he might the sooner ascend the sloping street4 ,ah6 here's ,eufemio1 exclaimed the ,cardinal1 quivering with anxiety4 ,we shall know now1 we shall know now4 ,the secretary had plunged into the doorway below1 and he climbed the stairs with such rapidity that almost immediately afterwards ,pierre saw him rush breathlessly across the waiting-room1 and vanish into the ,cardinal's sanctum4 ,sanguinetti had quitted the balcony to meet his messenger1 but soon afterwards he returned to it asking questions1 venting exclamations1 raising1 in fact1 quite a tumult over the news which he had received4 ,and so it's really true1 the night was a bad one4 ,his ,holiness scarcely slept6 ,colic1 you were told8 ,but nothing could be worse at his age2 it might carry him off in a couple of hours4 ,and the doctors1 what do they say8 ,the answer did not reach ,pierre1 but he understood its purport as the ,cardinal in his naturally loud voice resumed3 ,oh6 the doctors never know4 ,besides1 when they refuse to speak death is never far off4 _/,dio_/6 what a misfortune if the catastrophe cannot be deferred for a few days6 ,then he became silent1 and ,pierre realised that his eyes were once more travelling towards ,rome1 gazing with ambitious anguish at the dome of ,st4 ,peter's1 that little1 sparkling speck above the vast1 ruddy plain4 ,what a commotion1 what agitation if the ,pope were dead6 ,and he wished that it had merely been necessary for him to stretch forth his arm in order to take and hold the ,eternal ,city1 the ,holy ,city1 which1 yonder on the horizon1 occupied no more space than a heap of gravel cast there by a child's spade4 ,and he was already dreaming of the coming ,conclave1 when the canopy of each other cardinal would fall1 and his own1 motionless and sovereign1 would crown him with purple4 ,but you are right1 my friend6 he suddenly exclaimed1 addressing ,santobono1 one must act1 the salvation of the ,church is at stake4 ,and1 besides1 it is impossible that ,heaven should not be with us1 since our sole desire is its triumph4 ,if necessary1 at the supreme moment1 ,heaven will know how to crush ,antichrist4 ,then1 for the first time1 ,pierre distinctly heard the voice of ,santobono1 who1 gruffly1 with a sort of savage decision1 responded3 ,oh6 if ,heaven is tardy it shall be helped4 ,that was all2 the young man heard nothing further save a confused murmur of voices4 ,the speakers quitted the balcony1 and his spell of waiting began afresh in the sunlit _/salon_/ so peaceful and delightful in its brightness4 ,but all at once the door of his ,eminence's private room was thrown wide open and a servant ushered him in2 and he was surprised to find the ,cardinal alone1 for he had not witnessed the departure of the two priests1 who had gone off by another door4 ,the ,cardinal1 with his highly coloured face1 big nose1 thick lips1 square-set1 vigorous figure1 which still looked young despite his sixty years1 was standing near a window in the bright golden light4 ,he had put on the paternal smile with which he greeted even the humblest from motives of good policy1 and as soon as ,pierre had knelt and kissed his ring1 he motioned him to a chair4 ,sit down1 dear son1 sit down4 ,you have come of course about that unfortunate affair of your book4 ,i am very pleased indeed to be able to speak with you about it4 ,he himself then took a chair in front of that window overlooking ,rome whence he seemed unable to drag himself4 ,and the young priest1 whilst apologising for coming to disturb his rest1 perceived that he scarcely listened1 for his eyes again sought the prey which he so ardently coveted4 ,yet the semblance of good-natured attention was perfect1 and ,pierre marvelled at the force of will which this man must possess to appear so calm1 so interested in the affairs of others1 when such a tempest was raging in him4 ,your ,eminence will1 ,i hope1 kindly forgive me1 continued the young priest4 ,but you have done right to come1 since ,i am kept here by my failing health1 said the ,cardinal4 ,besides1 ,i am somewhat better1 and it is only natural that you should wish to give me some explanations and defend your work and enlighten my judgment4 ,in fact1 ,i was astonished at not yet having seen you1 for ,i know that your faith in your cause is great and that you spare no steps to convert your judges4 ,so speak1 my dear son1 ,i am listening and shall be pleased indeed if ,i can absolve you4 ,pierre was caught by these kind words1 and a hope returned to him1 that of winning the support of the all-powerful ,prefect of the ,index4 ,he already regarded this ex-nuncio--who at ,brussels and ,vienna had acquired the worldly art of sending people away satisfied with indefinite promises though he meant to grant them nothing--as a man of rare intelligence and exquisite cordiality4 ,and so once more he regained the fervour of his apostolate to express his views respecting the future ,rome1 the ,rome he dreamt of1 which was destined yet again to become the mistress of the world if she would return to the ,christianity of ,jesus1 to an ardent love for the weak and the humble4 ,sanguinetti smiled1 wagged his head1 and raised exclamations of rapture3 ,very good1 very good indeed1 perfect6 ,oh6 ,i agree with you1 dear son4 ,one cannot put things better4 ,it is quite evident2 all good minds must agree with you4 ,and then1 said he1 the poetic side deeply touched him4 ,like ,leo ,,xiii--and doubtless in a spirit of rivalry--he courted the reputation of being a very distinguished ,latinist1 and professed a special and boundless affection for ,virgil4 ,i know1 ,i know1 he exclaimed1 ,i remember your page on the return of spring1 which consoles the poor whom winter has frozen4 ,oh6 ,i read it three times over6 ,and are you aware that your writing is full of ,latin turns of style4 ,i noticed more than fifty expressions which could be found in the ',bucolics4' ,your book is a charm1 a perfect charm6 ,as he was no fool1 and realised that the little priest before him was a man of high intelligence1 he ended by interesting himself1 not in ,pierre personally1 but in the profit which he might possibly derive from him4 ,amidst his feverish intrigues1 he unceasingly sought to utilise all the qualities possessed by those whom ,god sent to him that might in any way be conducive to his own triumph4 ,so1 for a moment1 he turned away from ,rome and looked his companion in the face1 listening to him and asking himself in what way he might employ him--either at once in the crisis through which he was passing1 or later on when he should be pope4 ,but the young priest again made the mistake of attacking the temporal power1 and of employing that unfortunate expression1 a new religion4 ,thereupon the ,cardinal stopped him with a gesture1 still smiling1 still retaining all his amiability1 although the resolution which he had long since formed became from that moment definitive4 ,you are certainly in the right on many points1 my dear son1 he said1 and ,i often share your views--share them completely4 ,but come1 you are doubtless not aware that ,i am the protector of ,lourdes here at ,rome4 ,and so1 after the page which you have written about the ,grotto1 how can ,i possibly pronounce in your favour and against the ,fathers8 ,pierre was utterly overcome by this announcement1 for he was indeed unaware of the ,cardinal's position with respect to ,lourdes1 nobody having taken the precaution to warn him4 ,however1 each of the ,catholic enterprises distributed throughout the world has a protector at ,rome1 a cardinal who is designated by the ,pope to represent it and1 if need be1 to defend it4 ,those good ,fathers6 ,sanguinetti continued in a gentle voice1 you have caused them great grief1 and really our hands are tied1 we cannot add to their sorrow4 ,if you only knew what a number of masses they send us6 ,i know more than one of our poor priests who would die of hunger if it were not for them4 ,pierre could only bow beneath the blow4 ,once more he found himself in presence of the pecuniary question1 the necessity in which the ,holy ,see is placed to secure the revenue it requires one year with another4 ,and thus the ,pope was ever in servitude1 for if the loss of ,rome had freed him of the cares of state1 his enforced gratitude for the alms he received still riveted him to earth4 ,so great1 indeed1 were the requirements1 that money was the ruler1 the sovereign power1 before which all bowed at the ,court of ,rome4 ,and now ,sanguinetti rose to dismiss his visitor4 ,you must not despair1 dear son1 he said effusively4 ,i have only my own vote1 you know1 and ,i promise you that ,i will take into account the excellent explanations which you have just given me4 ,and who can tell8 ,if ,god be with you1 ,he will save you even in spite of all6 ,this speech formed part of the ,cardinal's usual tactics2 for one of his principles was never to drive people to extremes by sending them away hopeless4 ,what good1 indeed1 would it do to tell this one that the condemnation of his book was a foregone conclusion1 and that his only prudent course would be to disavow it8 ,only a savage like ,boccanera breathed anger upon fiery souls and plunged them into rebellion4 ,you must hope1 hope6 repeated ,sanguinetti with a smile1 as if implying a multitude of fortunate things which he could not plainly express4 ,thereupon ,pierre1 who was deeply touched1 felt born anew4 ,he even forgot the conversation he had surprised1 the ,cardinal's keen ambition and covert rage with his redoubtable rival4 ,besides1 might not intelligence take the place of heart among the powerful8 ,if this man should some day become pope1 and had understood him1 might he not prove the pope who was awaited1 the pope who would accept the task of reorganising the ,church of the ,united ,states of ,europe1 and making it the spiritual sovereign of the world8 ,so he thanked him with emotion1 bowed1 and left him to his dream1 standing before that widely open window whence ,rome appeared to him1 glittering like a jewel1 even indeed as the tiara of gold and gems1 in the splendour of the autumn sun4 ,it was nearly one o'clock when ,pierre and ,count ,prada were at last able to sit down to _/dejeuner_/ in the little restaurant where they had agreed to meet4 ,they had both been delayed by their affairs4 ,however1 the ,count1 having settled some worrying matters to his own advantage1 was very lively1 whilst the priest on his side was again hopeful1 and yielded to the delightful charm of that last fine day4 ,and so the meal proved a very pleasant one in the large1 bright room1 which1 as usual at that season of the year1 was quite deserted4 ,pink and blue predominated in the decoration1 but ,cupids fluttered on the ceiling1 and landscapes1 vaguely recalling the ,roman castles1 adorned the walls4 ,the things they ate were fresh1 and they drank the wine of ,frascati1 to which the soil imparts a kind of burnt flavour as if the old volcanoes of the region had left some little of their fire behind4 ,for a long while the conversation ranged over those wild and graceful ,alban hills1 which1 fortunately for the pleasure of the eye1 overlook the flat ,roman ,campagna4 ,pierre1 who had made the customary carriage excursion from ,frascati to ,nemi1 still felt its charm and spoke of it in glowing language4 ,first came the lovely road from ,frascati to ,albano1 ascending and descending hillsides planted with reeds1 vines1 and olive-trees1 amongst which one obtained frequent glimpses of the ,campagna's wavy immensity4 ,on the right-hand the village of ,rocca di ,papa arose in amphitheatrical fashion1 showing whitely on a knoll below ,monte ,cavo1 which was crowned by lofty and ancient trees4 ,and from this point of the road1 on looking back towards ,frascati1 one saw high up1 on the verge of a pine wood the ruins of ,tusculum1 large ruddy ruins1 baked by centuries of sunshine1 and whence the boundless panorama must have been superb4 ,next one passed through ,marino1 with its sloping streets1 its large cathedral1 and its black decaying palace belonging to the ,colonnas4 ,then1 beyond a wood of ilex-trees1 the lake of ,albano was skirted with scenery which has no parallel in the world4 ,in front1 beyond the clear mirror of motionless water1 were the ruins of ,alba ,longa2 on the left rose ,monte ,cavo with ,rocca di ,papa and ,palazzuolo2 whilst on the right ,castel ,gandolfo overlooked the lake as from the summit of a cliff4 ,down below in the extinct crater1 as in the depths of a gigantic cup of verdure1 the lake slept heavy and lifeless3 a sheet of molten metal1 which the sun on one side streaked with gold1 whilst the other was black with shade4 ,and the road then ascended all the way to ,castel ,gandolfo1 which was perched on its rock1 like a white bird betwixt the lake and the sea4 ,ever refreshed by breezes1 even in the most burning hours of summer1 the little place was once famous for its papal villa1 where ,pius ,,ix loved to spend hours of indolence1 and whither ,leo ,,xiii has never come4 ,and next the road dipped down1 and the ilex-trees appeared again1 ilex-trees famous for their size1 a double row of monsters with twisted limbs1 two and three hundred years old4 ,then one at last reached ,albano1 a small town less modernised and less cleansed than ,frascati1 a patch of the old land which has retained some of its ancient wildness2 and afterwards there was ,ariccia with the ,palazzo ,chigi1 and hills covered with forests and viaducts spanning ravines which overflowed with foliage2 and there was yet ,genzano1 and yet ,nemi1 growing still wilder and more remote1 lost in the midst of rocks and trees4 ,ah6 how ineffaceable was the recollection which ,pierre had retained of ,nemi1 ,nemi on the shore of its lake1 ,nemi so delicious and fascinating from afar1 conjuring up all the ancient legends of fairy towns springing from amidst the greenery of mysterious waters1 but so repulsively filthy when one at last reaches it1 crumbling on all sides but yet dominated by the ,orsini tower1 as by the evil genius of the middle ages1 which there seems to perpetuate the ferocious habits1 the violent passions1 the knife thrusts of the past6 ,thence came that ,santobono whose brother had killed1 and who himself1 with his eyes of crime glittering like live embers1 seemed to be consumed by a murderous flame4 ,and the lake1 that lake round like an extinguished moon fallen into the depths of a former crater1 a deeper and less open cup than that of the lake of ,albano1 a cup rimmed with trees of wondrous vigour and density6 ,pines1 elms1 and willows descend to the very margin1 with a green mass of tangled branches which weigh each other down4 ,this formidable fecundity springs from the vapour which constantly arises from the water under the parching action of the sun1 whose rays accumulate in this hollow till it becomes like a furnace4 ,there is a warm1 heavy dampness1 the paths of the adjacent gardens grow green with moss1 and in the morning dense mists often fill the large cup with white vapour1 as with the steaming milk of some sorceress of malevolent craft4 ,and ,pierre well remembered how uncomfortable he had felt before that lake where ancient atrocities1 a mysterious religion with abominable rites1 seemed to slumber amidst the superb scenery4 ,he had seen it at the approach of evening1 looking1 in the shade of its forest girdle1 like a plate of dull metal1 black and silver1 motionless by reason of its weight4 ,and that water1 clear and yet so deep1 that water deserted1 without a bark upon its surface1 that water august1 lifeless1 and sepulchral1 had left him a feeling of inexpressible sadness1 of mortal melancholy1 the hopelessness of great solitary passion1 earth and water alike swollen by the mute spasms of germs1 troublous in their fecundity4 ,ah6 those black and plunging banks1 and that black mournful lake prone at the bottom699 99 ,some literary interest attaches to ,m4 ,zola's account of ,nemi1 whose praises have been sung by a hundred poets4 ,it will be observed that he makes no mention of ,egeria4 ,the religion distinguished by abominable practices to which he alludes1 may perhaps be the worship of the ,egyptian ,diana1 who had a famous temple near ,nemi1 which was excavated by ,lord ,savile some ten years ago1 when all the smaller objects discovered were presented to the town of ,nottingham4 ,at this temple1 according to some classical writers1 the chief priest was required to murder his predecessor1 and there were other abominable usages4--,trans4 ,count ,prada began to laugh when ,pierre told him of these impressions4 ,yes1 yes1 said he1 it's true1 ,nemi isn't always gay4 ,in dull weather ,i have seen the lake looking like lead1 and even the full sunshine scarcely animates it4 ,for my part1 ,i know ,i should die of _/ennui_/ if ,i had to live face to face with that bare water4 ,but it is admired by poets and romantic women1 those who adore great tragedies of passion4 ,then1 as he and ,pierre rose from the table to go and take coffee on the terrace of the restaurant1 the conversation changed3 ,do you mean to attend ,prince ,buongiovanni's reception this evening8 the ,count inquired4 ,it will be a curious sight1 especially for a foreigner1 and ,i advise you not to miss it4 ,yes1 ,i have an invitation1 ,pierre replied4 ,a friend of mine1 ,monsieur ,narcisse ,habert1 an _/attache_/ at our embassy1 procured it for me1 and ,i am going with him4 ,that evening1 indeed1 there was to be a _/fete_/ at the ,palazzo ,buongiovanni on the ,corso1 one of the few galas that take place in ,rome each winter4 ,people said that this one would surpass all others in magnificence1 for it was to be given in honour of the betrothal of little ,princess ,celia4 ,the ,prince1 her father1 after boxing her ears1 it was rumoured1 and narrowly escaping an attack of apoplexy as the result of a frightful fit of anger1 had1 all at once1 yielded to her quiet1 gentle stubbornness1 and consented to her marriage with ,lieutenant ,attilio1 the son of ,minister ,sacco4 ,and all the drawing-rooms of ,rome1 those of the white world quite as much as those of the black1 were thoroughly upset by the tidings4 ,count ,prada made merry over the affair4 ,ah6 you'll see a fine sight6 he exclaimed4 ,personally1 ,i'm delighted with it all for the sake of my good cousin ,attilio1 who is really a very nice and worthy fellow4 ,and nothing in the world would keep me from going to see my dear uncle ,sacco make his entry into the ancient _/salons_/ of the ,buongiovanni4 ,it will be something extraordinary and superb4 ,he has at last become ,minister of ,agriculture1 you know4 ,my father1 who always takes things so seriously1 told me this morning that the affair so worried him he hadn't closed his eyes all night4 ,the ,count paused1 but almost immediately added3 ,i say1 it is half-past two and you won't have a train before five o'clock4 ,do you know what you ought to do8 ,why1 drive back to ,rome with me in my carriage4 ,no1 no1 rejoined ,pierre1 ,i'm deeply obliged to you but ,i'm to dine with my friend ,narcisse this evening1 and ,i mustn't be late4 ,but you won't be late--on the contrary6 ,we shall start at three and reach ,rome before five o'clock4 ,there can't be a more pleasant promenade when the light falls2 and1 come1 ,i promise you a splendid sunset4 ,he was so pressing that the young priest had to accept1 quite subjugated by so much amiability and good humour4 ,they spent another half-hour very pleasantly in chatting about ,rome1 ,italy1 and ,france4 ,then1 for a moment1 they went up into ,frascati where the ,count wished to say a few words to a contractor1 and just as three o'clock was striking they started off1 seated side by side on the soft cushions and gently rocked by the motion of the victoria as the two horses broke into a light trot4 ,as ,prada had predicted1 that return to ,rome across the bare ,campagna under the vast limpid heavens at the close of such a mild autumn day proved most delightful4 ,first of all1 however1 the victoria had to descend the slopes of ,frascati between vineyards and olive-trees4 ,the paved road snaked1 and was but little frequented2 they merely saw a few peasants in old felt hats1 a white mule1 and a cart drawn by a donkey1 for it is only upon ,sundays that the _/osterie_/ or wine-shops are filled and that artisans in easy circumstances come to eat a dish of kid at the surrounding _/bastides_/4 ,however1 at one turn of the road they passed a monumental fountain4 ,then a flock of sheep momentarily barred the way before defiling past4 ,and beyond the gentle undulations of the ruddy ,campagna ,rome appeared amidst the violet vapours of evening1 sinking by degrees as the carriage itself descended to a lower and lower level4 ,there came a moment when the city was a mere thin grey streak1 speckled whitely here and there by a few sunlit house-fronts4 ,and then it seemed to plunge below the ground--to be submerged by the swell of the far-spreading fields4 ,the victoria was now rolling over the plain1 leaving the ,alban hills behind1 whilst before it and on either hand came the expanse of meadows and stubbles4 ,and then it was that the ,count1 after leaning forward1 exclaimed3 ,just look ahead1 yonder1 there's our man of this morning1 ,santobono in person--what a strapping fellow he is1 and how fast he walks6 ,my horses can scarcely overtake him4 ,pierre in his turn leant forward and likewise perceived the priest of ,st4 ,mary in the ,fields1 looking tall and knotty1 fashioned as it were with a bill-hook4 ,robed in a long black cassock1 he showed like a vigorous splotch of ink amidst the bright sunshine streaming around him2 and he was walking on at such a fast1 stern1 regular pace that he suggested ,destiny on the march4 ,something1 which could not be well distinguished1 was hanging from his right arm4 ,when the carriage had at last overtaken him ,prada told the coachman to slacken speed1 and then entered into conversation4 ,good-day1 ,abbe2 you are well1 ,i hope8 he asked4 ,very well1 ,signor ,conte1 ,i thank you4 ,and where are you going so bravely8 ,signor ,conte1 ,i am going to ,rome4 ,what6 to ,rome1 at this late hour8 ,oh6 ,i shall be there nearly as soon as yourself4 ,the distance doesn't frighten me1 and money's quickly earned by walking4 ,scarcely turning his head to reply1 stepping out beside the wheels1 ,santobono did not miss a stride4 ,and ,prada1 diverted by the meeting1 whispered to ,pierre3 ,wait a bit1 he'll amuse us4 ,then he added aloud3 ,since you are going to ,rome1 ,abbe1 you had better get in here2 there's room for you4 ,santobono required no pressing1 but at once accepted the offer4 ,willingly2 a thousand thanks1 he said4 ,it's still better to save one's shoe leather4 ,then he got in and installed himself on the bracket-seat1 declining with abrupt humility the place which ,pierre politely offered him beside the ,count4 ,the young priest and the latter now saw that the object he was carrying was a little basket of fresh figs1 nicely arranged and covered with leaves4 ,the horses set off again at a faster trot1 and the carriage rolled on and on over the superb1 flat plain4 ,so you are going to ,rome8 the ,count resumed in order to make ,santobono talk4 ,yes1 the other replied1 ,i am taking his ,eminence ,cardinal ,boccanera these few figs1 the last of the season3 a little present which ,i had promised him4 ,he had placed the basket on his knees and was holding it between his big knotty hands as if it were something rare and fragile4 ,ah6 some of the famous figs of your garden1 said ,prada4 ,it's quite true1 they are like honey4 ,but why don't you rid yourself of them4 ,you surely don't mean to keep them on your knees all the way to ,rome4 ,give them to me1 ,i'll put them in the hood4 ,however1 ,santobono became quite agitated1 and vigorously declined the offer4 ,no1 no1 a thousand thanks6 ,they don't embarrass me in the least2 they are very well here2 and in this way ,i shall be sure that no accident will befall them4 ,his passion for the fruit he grew quite amused ,prada1 who nudged ,pierre1 and then inquired3 ,is the ,cardinal fond of your figs8 ,oh6 his ,eminence condescends to adore them4 ,in former years1 when he spent the summer at the villa1 he would never touch the figs from other trees4 ,and so1 you see1 knowing his tastes1 it costs me very little to gratify him4 ,whilst making this reply ,santobono had shot such a keen glance in the direction of ,pierre that the ,count felt it necessary to introduce them to one another4 ,this he did saying3 ,as it happens1 ,monsieur l',abbe ,froment is stopping at the ,palazzo ,boccanera2 he has been there for three months or so4 ,yes1 ,i'm aware of it1 ,santobono quietly replied2 ,i found ,monsieur l',abbe with his ,eminence one day when ,i took some figs to the ,palazzo4 ,those were less ripe1 but these are perfect4 ,so speaking he gave the little basket a complacent glance1 and seemed to press it yet more closely between his huge and hairy fingers4 ,then came a spell of silence1 whilst on either hand the ,campagna spread out as far as the eye could reach4 ,all houses had long since disappeared2 there was not a wall1 not a tree1 nothing but the undulating expanse whose sparse1 short herbage was1 with the approach of winter1 beginning to turn green once more4 ,a tower1 a half-fallen ruin which came into sight on the left1 rising in solitude into the limpid sky above the flat1 boundless line of the horizon1 suddenly assumed extraordinary importance4 ,then1 on the right1 the distant silhouettes of cattle and horses were seen in a large enclosure with wooden rails4 ,urged on by the goad1 oxen1 still yoked1 were slowly coming back from ploughing2 whilst a farmer1 cantering beside the ploughed land on a little sorrel nag1 gave a final look round for the night4 ,now and again the road became peopled4 ,a _/biroccino_/1 an extremely light vehicle with two huge wheels and a small seat perched upon the springs1 whisked by like a gust of wind4 ,from time to time also the victoria passed a _/carrotino_/1 one of the low carts in which peasants1 sheltered by a kind of bright-hued tent1 bring the wine1 vegetables1 and fruit of the castle-lands to ,rome4 ,the shrill tinkling of horses' bells was heard afar off as the animals followed the well-known road of their own accord1 their peasant drivers usually being sound asleep4 ,women with bare1 black hair1 scarlet neckerchiefs1 and skirts caught up1 were seen going home in groups of three and four4 ,and then the road again emptied1 and the solitude became more and more complete1 without a wayfarer or an animal appearing for miles and miles1 whilst yonder1 at the far end of the lifeless sea1 so grandiose and mournful in its monotony1 the sun continued to descend from the infinite vault of heaven4 ,and the ,pope1 ,abbe1 is he dead8 ,prada suddenly inquired4 ,santobono did not even start4 ,i trust1 he replied in all simplicity1 that his ,holiness still has many long years to live for the triumph of the ,church4 ,so you had good news this morning when you called on your bishop1 ,cardinal ,sanguinetti8 ,this time the priest was unable to restrain a slight start4 ,had he been seen1 then8 ,in his haste he had failed to notice the two men following the road behind him4 ,however1 he at once regained self-possession1 and replied3 ,oh6 one can never tell exactly whether news is good or bad4 ,it seems that his ,holiness passed a somewhat painful night1 but ,i devoutly hope that the next will be a better one4 ,then he seemed to meditate for a moment1 and added3 ,moreover1 if ,god should have deemed it time to call his ,holiness to ,himself1 ,he would not leave ,his flock without a shepherd4 ,he would have already chosen and designated the ,sovereign ,pontiff of to-morrow4 ,this superb answer increased ,prada's gaiety4 ,you are really extraordinary1 ,abbe1 he said4 ,so you think that popes are solely created by the grace of the ,divinity6 ,the pope of to-morrow is chosen up in heaven1 eh1 and simply waits8 ,well1 ,i fancied that men had something to do with the matter4 ,but perhaps you already know which cardinal it is that the divine favour has thus elected in advance8 ,then1 like the unbeliever he was1 he went on with his facile jests1 which left the priest unruffled4 ,in fact1 the latter also ended by laughing when the ,count1 after alluding to the gambling passion which at each fresh ,conclave sets wellnigh the whole population of ,rome betting for or against this or that candidate1 told him that he might easily make his fortune if he were in the divine secret4 ,next the talk turned on the three white cassocks of different sizes which are always kept in readiness in a cupboard at the ,vatican4 ,which of them would be required on this occasion8--the short one1 the long one1 or the one of medium size8 ,each time that the reigning pope falls somewhat seriously ill there is in this wise an extraordinary outburst of emotion1 a keen awakening of all ambitions and intrigues1 to such a point that not merely in the black world1 but throughout the city1 people have no other subject of curiosity1 conversation1 and occupation than that of discussing the relative claims of the cardinals and predicting which of them will be elected4 ,come1 come1 ,prada resumed1 since you know the truth1 ,i'm determined that you shall tell me4 ,will it be ,cardinal ,moretta8 ,santobono1 in spite of his evident desire to remain dignified and disinterested1 like a good1 pious priest1 was gradually growing impassioned1 yielding to the hidden fire which consumed him4 ,and this interrogatory finished him off2 he could no longer restrain himself1 but replied3 ,moretta6 ,what an idea6 ,why1 he is sold to all ,europe6 ,well1 will it be ,cardinal ,bartolini8 ,oh6 you can't think that4 ,bartolini has used himself up in striving for everything and getting nothing4 ,will it be ,cardinal ,dozio1 then8 ,dozio1 ,dozio6 ,why1 if ,dozio were to win one might altogether despair of our ,holy ,church1 for no man can have a baser mind than he6 ,prada raised his hands1 as if he had exhausted the serious candidates4 ,in order to increase the priest's exasperation he maliciously refrained from naming ,cardinal ,sanguinetti1 who was certainly ,santobono's nominee4 ,all at once1 however1 he pretended to make a good guess1 and gaily exclaimed3 ,ah6 ,i have it2 ,i know your man--,cardinal ,boccanera6 ,the blow struck ,santobono full in the heart1 wounding him both in his rancour and his patriotic faith4 ,his terrible mouth was already opening1 and he was about to shout ,no6 no6 with all his strength1 but he managed to restrain the cry1 compelled as he was to silence by the present on his knees--that little basket of figs which he pressed so convulsively with both hands2 and the effort which he was obliged to make left him quivering to such a point that he had to wait some time before he could reply in a calm voice3 ,his most reverend ,eminence ,cardinal ,boccanera is a saintly man1 well worthy of the throne1 and my only fear is that1 with his hatred of new ,italy1 he might bring us warfare4 ,prada1 however1 desired to enlarge the wound4 ,at all events1 said he1 you accept him and love him too much not to rejoice over his chances of success4 ,and ,i really think that we have arrived at the truth1 for everybody is convinced that the ,conclave's choice cannot fall elsewhere4 ,come1 come2 ,boccanera is a very tall man1 so it's the long white cassock which will be required4 ,the long cassock1 the long cassock1 growled ,santobono1 despite himself2 that's all very well1 but-- ,then he stopped short1 and1 again overcoming his passion1 left his sentence unfinished4 ,pierre1 listening in silence1 marvelled at the man's self-restraint1 for he remembered the conversation which he had overheard at ,cardinal ,sanguinetti's4 ,those figs were evidently a mere pretext for gaining admission to the ,boccanera mansion1 where some friend--,abbe ,paparelli1 no doubt--could alone supply certain positive information which was needed4 ,but how great was the command which the hot-blooded priest exercised over himself amidst the riotous impulses of his soul6 ,on either side of the road the ,campagna still and ever spread its expanse of verdure1 and ,prada1 who had become grave and dreamy1 gazed before him without seeing anything4 ,at last1 however1 he gave expression to his thoughts4 ,you know1 ,abbe1 what will be said if the ,pope should die this time4 ,that sudden illness1 those colics1 those refusals to make any information public1 mean nothing good--,yes1 yes1 poison1 just as for the others6 ,pierre gave a start of stupefaction4 ,the ,pope poisoned6 ,what6 ,poison8 ,again8 he exclaimed as he gazed at his companions with dilated eyes4 ,poison at the end of the nineteenth century1 as in the days of the ,borgias1 as on the stage in a romanticist melodrama6 ,to him the idea appeared both monstrous and ridiculous4 ,santobono1 whose features had become motionless and impenetrable1 made no reply4 ,but ,prada nodded1 and the conversation was henceforth confined to him and the young priest4 ,why1 yes1 poison1 he replied4 ,the fear of it has remained very great in ,rome4 ,whenever a death seems inexplicable1 either by reason of its suddenness or the tragic circumstances which attend it1 the unanimous thought is poison4 ,and remark this3 in no city1 ,i believe1 are sudden deaths so frequent4 ,the causes ,i don't exactly know1 but some doctors put everything down to the fevers4 ,among the people1 however1 the one thought is poison1 poison with all its legends1 poison which kills like lightning and leaves no trace1 the famous recipe bequeathed from age to age1 through the emperors and the popes1 down to these present times of middle-class democracy4 ,as he spoke he ended by smiling1 for he was inclined to be somewhat sceptical on the point1 despite the covert terror with which he was inspired by racial and educational causes4 ,however1 he quoted instances4 ,the ,roman matrons had rid themselves of their husbands and lovers by employing the venom of red toads4 ,locusta1 in a more practical spirit1 sought poison in plants1 one of which1 probably aconite1 she was wont to boil4 ,then1 long afterwards1 came the age of the ,borgias1 and subsequently1 at ,naples1 ,la ,toffana sold a famous water1 doubtless some preparation of arsenic1 in phials decorated with a representation of ,st4 ,nicholas of ,bari4 ,there were also extraordinary stories of pins1 a prick from which killed one like lightning1 of cups of wine poisoned by the infusion of rose petals1 of woodcocks cut in half with prepared knives1 which poisoned but one-half of the bird1 so that he who partook of that half was killed4 ,i myself1 in my younger days1 continued ,prada1 had a friend whose bride fell dead in church during the marriage service through simply inhaling a bouquet of flowers4 ,and so isn't it possible that the famous recipe may really have been handed down1 and have remained known to a few adepts8 ,but chemistry has made too much progress1 ,pierre replied4 ,if mysterious poisons were believed in by the ancients and remained undetected in their time it was because there were no means of analysis4 ,but the drug of the ,borgias would now lead the simpleton who might employ it straight to the ,assizes4 ,such stories are mere nonsense1 and at the present day people scarcely tolerate them in newspaper serials and shockers4 ,perhaps so1 resumed the ,count with his uneasy smile4 ,you are right1 no doubt--only go and tell that to your host1 for instance1 ,cardinal ,boccanera1 who last summer held in his arms an old and deeply-loved friend1 ,monsignor ,gallo1 who died after a seizure of a couple of hours4 ,but apoplexy may kill one in two hours1 and aneurism only takes two minutes4 ,true1 but ask the ,cardinal what he thought of his friend's prolonged shudders1 the leaden hue which overcame his face1 the sinking of his eyes1 and the expression of terror which made him quite unrecognisable4 ,the ,cardinal is convinced that ,monsignor ,gallo was poisoned1 because he was his dearest confidant1 the counsellor to whom he always listened1 and whose wise advice was a guarantee of success4 ,pierre's bewilderment was increasing1 and1 irritated by the impassibility of ,santobono1 he addressed him direct4 ,it's idiotic1 it's awful6 ,does your reverence also believe in these frightful stories8 ,but the priest of ,frascati gave no sign4 ,his thick1 passionate lips remained closed while his black glowing eyes never ceased to gaze at ,prada4 ,the latter1 moreover1 was quoting other instances4 ,there was the case of ,monsignor ,nazzarelli1 who had been found in bed1 shrunken and calcined like carbon4 ,and there was that of ,monsignor ,brando1 struck down in his sacerdotal vestments at ,st4 ,peter's itself1 in the very sacristy1 during vespers6 ,ah6 _/,mon ,dieu_/6 sighed ,pierre1 you will tell me so much that ,i myself shall end by trembling1 and sha'n't dare to eat anything but boiled eggs as long as ,i stay in this terrible ,rome of yours4 ,for a moment this whimsical reply enlivened both the ,count and ,pierre4 ,but it was quite true that their conversation showed ,rome under a terrible aspect1 for it conjured up the ,eternal ,city of ,crime1 the city of poison and the knife1 where for more than two thousand years1 ever since the raising of the first bit of wall1 the lust of power1 the frantic hunger for possession and enjoyment1 had armed men's hands1 ensanguined the pavements1 and cast victims into the river and the ground4 ,assassinations and poisonings under the emperors1 poisonings and assassinations under the popes1 ever did the same torrent of abominations strew that tragic soil with death amidst the sovereign glory of the sun4 ,all the same1 said the ,count1 those who take precautions are perhaps not ill advised4 ,it is said that more than one cardinal shudders and mistrusts people4 ,one whom ,i know will never eat anything that has not been bought and prepared by his own cook4 ,and as for the ,pope1 if he is anxious-- ,pierre again raised a cry of stupefaction4 ,what1 the ,pope himself6 ,the ,pope afraid of being poisoned6 ,well1 my dear ,abbe1 people commonly assert it4 ,there are certainly days when he considers himself more menaced than anybody else4 ,and are you not aware of the old ,roman view that a pope ought never to live till too great an age1 and that when he is so obstinate as not to die at the right time he ought to be assisted8 ,as soon as a pope begins to fall into second childhood1 and by reason of his senility becomes a source of embarrassment1 and possibly even danger1 to the ,church1 his right place is heaven4 ,moreover1 matters are managed in a discreet manner2 a slight cold becomes a decent pretext to prevent him from tarrying any longer on the throne of ,st4 ,peter4 ,prada then gave some curious details4 ,one prelate1 it was said1 wishing to dispel his ,holiness's fears1 had devised an elaborate precautionary system which1 among other things1 was to comprise a little padlocked vehicle1 in which the food destined for the frugal pontifical table was to be securely placed before leaving the kitchen1 so that it might not be tampered with on its way to the ,pope's apartments4 ,however1 this project had not yet been carried into effect4 ,after all1 the ,count concluded with a laugh1 every pope has to die some day1 especially when his death is needful for the welfare of the ,church4 ,isn't that so1 ,abbe8 ,santobono1 whom he addressed1 had a moment previously lowered his eyes as if to contemplate the little basket of figs which he held on his lap with as much care as if it had been the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,on being questioned in such a direct1 sharp fashion he could not do otherwise than look up4 ,however1 he did not depart from his prolonged silence1 but limited his answer to a slow nod4 ,and it is ,god alone1 and not poison1 who causes one to die4 ,is that not so1 ,abbe8 repeated ,prada4 ,it is said that those were the last words of poor ,monsignor ,gallo before he expired in the arms of his friend ,cardinal ,boccanera4 ,for the second time ,santobono nodded without speaking4 ,and then silence fell1 all three sinking into a dreamy mood4 ,meantime1 without a pause1 the carriage rolled on across the immensity of the ,campagna4 ,the road1 straight as an arrow1 seemed to extend into the infinite4 ,as the sun descended towards the horizon the play of light and shade became more marked on the broad undulations of the ground which stretched away1 alternately of a pinky green and a violet grey1 till they reached the distant fringe of the sky4 ,at the roadside on either hand there were still and ever tall withered thistles and giant fennel with yellow umbels4 ,then1 after a time1 came a team of four oxen1 that had been kept ploughing until late1 and stood forth black and huge in the pale atmosphere and mournful solitude4 ,farther on some flocks of sheep1 whence the breeze wafted a tallowy odour1 set patches of brown amidst the herbage1 which once more was becoming verdant2 whilst at intervals a dog was heard to bark1 his voice the only distinct sound amidst the low quivering of that silent desert where the sovereign peacefulness of death seemed to reign4 ,but all at once a light melody arose and some larks flew up1 one of them soaring into the limpid golden heavens4 ,and ahead1 at the far extremity of the pure sky1 ,rome1 with her towers and domes1 grew larger and larger1 like a city of white marble springing from a mirage amidst the greenery of some enchanted garden4 ,matteo6 ,prada called to his coachman1 pull up at the ,osteria ,romana4 ,and to his companions he added3 ,pray excuse me1 but ,i want to see if ,i can get some new-laid eggs for my father4 ,he is so fond of them4 ,a few minutes afterwards the carriage stopped4 ,at the very edge of the road stood a primitive sort of inn1 bearing the proud and sonorous name of ,antica ,osteria ,romana4 ,it had now become a mere house of call for carters and chance sportsmen1 who ventured to drink a flagon of white wine whilst eating an omelet and a slice of ham4 ,occasionally1 on ,sundays1 some of the humble classes would walk over from ,rome and make merry there2 but the week days often went by without a soul entering the place1 such was its isolation amidst the bare ,campagna4 ,the ,count was already springing from the carriage4 ,i shall only be a minute1 said he as he turned away4 ,the _/osteria_/ was a long1 low pile with a ground floor and one upper storey1 the last being reached by an outdoor stairway built of large blocks of stone which had been scorched by the hot suns4 ,the entire place1 indeed1 was corroded1 tinged with the hue of old gold4 ,on the ground floor one found a common room1 a cart-house1 and a stable with adjoining sheds4 ,at one side1 near a cluster of parasol pines--the only trees that could grow in that ungrateful soil--there was an arbour of reeds where five or six rough wooden tables were set out4 ,and1 as a background to this sorry1 mournful nook of life1 there arose a fragment of an ancient aqueduct whose arches1 half fallen and opening on to space1 alone interrupted the flat line of the horizon4 ,all at once1 however1 the ,count retraced his steps1 and1 addressing ,santobono1 exclaimed3 ,i say1 ,abbe1 you'll surely accept a glass of white wine4 ,i know that you are a bit of a vine grower1 and they have a little white wine here which you ought to make acquaintance with4 ,santobono again required no pressing1 but quietly alighted4 ,oh6 ,i know it1 said he2 it's a wine from ,marino2 it's grown in a lighter soil than ours at ,frascati4 ,then1 as he would not relax his hold on his basket of figs1 but even now carried it along with him1 the ,count lost patience4 ,come1 you don't want that basket1 said he2 leave it in the carriage4 ,the priest gave no reply1 but walked ahead1 whilst ,pierre also made up his mind to descend from the carriage in order to see what a suburban _/osteria_/ was like4 ,prada was known at this place1 and an old woman1 tall1 withered1 but looking quite queenly in her wretched garments1 had at once presented herself4 ,on the last occasion when the ,count had called she had managed to find half a dozen eggs4 ,this time she said she would go to see1 but could promise nothing1 for the hens laid here and there all over the place1 and she could never tell what eggs there might be4 ,all right6 ,prada answered1 go and look2 and meantime we will have a _/caraffa_/ of white wine4 ,the three men entered the common room1 which was already quite dark4 ,although the hot weather was now over1 one heard the buzzing of innumerable flies immediately one reached the threshold1 and a pungent odour of acidulous wine and rancid oil caught one at the throat4 ,as soon as their eyes became accustomed to the dimness they were able to distinguish the spacious1 blackened1 malodorous chamber1 whose only furniture consisted of some roughly made tables and benches4 ,it seemed to be quite empty1 so complete was the silence1 apart from the buzz of the flies4 ,however1 two men were seated there1 two wayfarers who remained mute and motionless before their untouched1 brimming glasses4 ,moreover1 on a low chair near the door1 in the little light which penetrated from without1 a thin1 sallow girl1 the daughter of the house1 sat idle1 trembling with fever1 her hands close pressed between her knees4 ,realising that ,pierre felt uncomfortable there1 the ,count proposed that they should drink their wine outside4 ,we shall be better out of doors1 said he1 it's so very in mild this evening4 ,accordingly1 whilst the mother looked for the eggs1 and the father mended a wheel in an adjacent shed1 the daughter was obliged to get up shivering to carry the flagon of wine and the three glasses to the arbour1 where she placed them on one of the tables4 ,and1 having pocketed the price of the wine--threepence--in silence1 she went back to her seat with a sullen look1 as if annoyed at having been compelled to make such a long journey4 ,meanwhile the three men had sat down1 and ,prada gaily filled each of the glasses1 although ,pierre declared that he was quite unable to drink wine between his meals4 ,pooh1 pooh1 said the ,count1 you can always clink glasses with us4 ,and now1 ,abbe1 isn't this little wine droll8 ,come1 here's to the ,pope's better health1 since he's unwell6 ,santobono at one gulp emptied his glass and clacked his tongue4 ,with gentle1 paternal care he had deposited his basket on the ground beside him3 and1 taking off his hat1 he drew a long breath4 ,the evening was really delightful4 ,a superb sky of a soft golden hue stretched over that endless sea of the ,campagna which was soon to fall asleep with sovereign quiescence4 ,and the light breeze which went by amidst the deep silence brought with it an exquisite odour of wild herbs and flowers4 ,how pleasant it is6 muttered ,pierre1 affected by the surrounding charm4 ,and what a desert for eternal rest1 forgetfulness of all the world6 ,prada1 who had emptied the flagon by filling ,santobono's glass a second time1 made no reply2 he was silently amusing himself with an occurrence which at first he was the only one to observe4 ,however1 with a merry expression of complicity1 he gave the young priest a wink1 and then they both watched the dramatic incidents of the affair4 ,some scraggy fowls were wandering round them searching the yellow turf for grasshoppers2 and one of these birds1 a little shiny black hen with an impudent manner1 had caught sight of the basket of figs and was boldly approaching it4 ,when she got near1 however1 she took fright1 and retreated somewhat1 with neck stiffened and head turned1 so as to cast suspicious glances at the basket with her round sparkling eye4 ,but at last covetousness gained the victory1 for she could see one of the figs between the leaves1 and so she slowly advanced1 lifting her feet very high at each step2 and1 all at once1 stretching out her neck1 she gave the fig a formidable peck1 which ripped it open and made the juice exude4 ,prada1 who felt as happy as a child1 was then able to give vent to the laughter which he had scarcely been able to restrain3 ,look out1 ,abbe1 he called1 mind your figs6 ,at that very moment ,santobono was finishing his second glass of wine with his head thrown back and his eyes blissfully raised to heaven4 ,he gave a start1 looked round1 and on seeing the hen at once understood the position4 ,and then came a terrible outburst of anger1 with sweeping gestures and terrible invectives4 ,but the hen1 who was again pecking1 would not be denied2 she dug her beak into the fig and carried it off1 flapping her wings1 so quick and so comical that ,prada1 and ,pierre as well1 laughed till tears came into their eyes1 their merriment increasing at sight of the impotent fury of ,santobono1 who1 for a moment1 pursued the thief1 threatening her with his fist4 ,ah6 said the ,count1 that's what comes of not leaving the basket in the carriage4 ,if ,i hadn't warned you the hen would have eaten all the figs4 ,the priest did not reply1 but1 growling out vague imprecations1 placed the basket on the table1 where he raised the leaves and artistically rearranged the fruit so as to fill up the void4 ,then1 the harm having been repaired as far as was possible1 he at last calmed down4 ,it was now time for them to resume their journey1 for the sun was sinking towards the horizon1 and night would soon fall4 ,thus the ,count ended by getting impatient4 ,well1 and those eggs8 he called4 ,then1 as the woman did not return1 he went to seek her4 ,he entered the stable1 and afterwards the cart-house1 but she was neither here nor there4 ,next he went towards the rear of the _/osteria_/ in order to look in the sheds4 ,but all at once an unexpected spectacle made him stop short4 ,the little black hen was lying on the ground1 dead1 killed as by lightning4 ,she showed no sign of hurt2 there was nothing but a little streamlet of violet blood still trickling from her beak4 ,prada was at first merely astonished4 ,he stooped and touched the hen4 ,she was still warm and soft like a rag4 ,doubtless some apoplectic stroke had killed her4 ,but immediately afterwards he became fearfully pale2 the truth appeared to him1 and turned him as cold as ice4 ,in a moment he conjured up everything3 ,leo ,,xiii attacked by illness1 ,santobono hurrying to ,cardinal ,sanguinetti for tidings1 and then starting for ,rome to present a basket of figs to ,cardinal ,boccanera4 ,and ,prada also remembered the conversation in the carriage3 the possibility of the ,pope's demise1 the candidates for the tiara1 the legendary stories of poison which still fostered terror in and around the ,vatican2 and he once more saw the priest1 with his little basket on his knees1 lavishing paternal attention on it1 and he saw the little black hen pecking at the fruit and fleeing with a fig on her beak4 ,and now that little black hen lay there1 suddenly struck down1 dead6 ,his conviction was immediate and absolute4 ,but he did not have time to decide what course he should take1 for a voice behind him exclaimed3 ,why1 it's the little hen2 what's the matter with her8 ,the voice was that of ,pierre1 who1 letting ,santobono climb into the carriage alone1 had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines4 ,prada1 who shuddered as if he himself were the culprit1 answered him with a lie1 a lie which he did not premeditate1 but to which he was impelled by a sort of instinct4 ,but she's dead1 he said4 4 4 4 ,just fancy1 there was a fight4 ,at the moment when ,i got here that other hen1 which you see yonder1 sprang upon this one to get the fig1 which she was still holding1 and with a thrust of the beak split her head open4 4 4 4 ,the blood's flowing1 as you can see yourself4 ,why did he say these things8 ,he himself was astonished at them whilst he went on inventing them4 ,was it then that he wished to remain master of the situation1 keep the abominable secret entirely to himself1 in order that he might afterwards act in accordance with his own desires8 ,certainly his feelings partook of shame and embarrassment in presence of that foreigner1 whilst his personal inclination for violence set some admiration amidst the revolt of his conscience1 and a covert desire arose within him to examine the matter from the standpoint of his interests before he came to a decision4 ,but1 on the other hand1 he claimed to be a man of integrity1 and would assuredly not allow people to be poisoned4 ,pierre1 who was compassionately inclined towards all creation1 looked at the hen with the emotion which he always felt at the sudden severance of life4 ,however1 he at once accepted ,prada's story4 ,ah6 those fowls6 said he4 ,they treat one another with an idiotic ferocity which even men can scarcely equal4 ,i kept fowls at home at one time1 and one of the hens no sooner hurt her leg than all the others1 on seeing the blood oozing1 would flock round and peck at the limb till they stripped it to the bone4 ,prada1 however1 did not listen1 but at once went off2 and it so happened that the woman was1 on her side1 looking for him in order to hand him four eggs which1 after a deal of searching1 she had discovered in odd corners about the house4 ,the ,count made haste to pay for them1 and called to ,pierre1 who was lingering behind3 ,we must look sharp6 ,we sha'n't reach ,rome now until it is quite dark4 ,they found ,santobono quietly waiting in the carriage1 where he had again installed himself on the bracket with his spine resting against the box-seat and his long legs drawn back under him1 and he again had the little basket of figs on his knees1 and clasped it with his big knotty hands as though it were something fragile and rare which the slightest jolting might damage4 ,his cassock showed like a huge blot1 and in his coarse ashen face1 that of a peasant yet near to the wild soil and but slightly polished by a few years of theological studies1 his eyes alone seemed to live1 glowing with the dark flame of a devouring passion4 ,on seeing him seated there in such composure ,prada could not restrain a slight shudder4 ,then1 as soon as the victoria was again rolling along the road1 he exclaimed3 ,well1 ,abbe1 that glass of wine will guarantee us against the malaria4 ,the ,pope would soon be cured if he could imitate our example4 ,santobono's only reply was a growl4 ,he was in no mood for conversation1 but wrapped himself in perfect silence1 as in the night which was slowly falling4 ,and ,prada in his turn ceased to speak1 and1 with his eyes still fixed upon the other1 reflected on the course that he should follow4 ,the road turned1 and then the carriage rolled on and on over another interminable straight highway with white paving1 whose brilliancy made the road look like a ribbon of snow stretching across the ,campagna1 where delicate shadows were slowly falling4 ,gloom gathered in the hollows of the broad undulations whence a tide of violet hue seemed to spread over the short herbage until all mingled and the expanse became an indistinct swell of neutral hue from one to the other horizon4 ,and the solitude was now yet more complete2 a last indolent cart had gone by and a last tinkling of horses' bells had subsided in the distance4 ,there was no longer a passer-by1 no longer a beast of the fields to be seen1 colour and sound died away1 all forms of life sank into slumber1 into the serene stillness of nihility4 ,some fragments of an aqueduct were still to be seen at intervals on the right hand1 where they looked like portions of gigantic millepeds severed by the scythe of time2 next1 on the left1 came another tower1 whose dark and ruined pile barred the sky as with a huge black stake2 and then the remains of another aqueduct spanned the road1 assuming yet greater dimensions against the sunset glow4 ,ah6 that unique hour1 the hour of twilight in the ,campagna1 when all is blotted out and simplified1 the hour of bare immensity1 of the infinite in its simplest expression6 ,there is nothing1 nothing all around you1 but the flat line of the horizon with the one splotch of an isolated tower1 and yet that nothing is instinct with sovereign majesty4 ,however1 on the left1 towards the sea1 the sun was setting1 descending in the limpid sky like a globe of fire of blinding redness4 ,it slowly plunged beneath the horizon1 and the only sign of cloud was some fiery vapour1 as if indeed the distant sea had seethed at contact with that royal and flaming visit4 ,and directly the sun had disappeared the heavens above it purpled and became a lake of blood1 whilst the ,campagna turned to grey4 ,at the far end of the fading plain there remained only that purple lake whose brasier slowly died out behind the black arches of the aqueduct1 while in the opposite direction the scattered arches remained bright and rosy against a pewter-like sky4 ,then the fiery vapour was dissipated1 and the sunset ended by fading away4 ,one by one the stars came out in the pacified vault1 now of an ashen blue1 while the lights of ,rome1 still far away on the verge of the horizon1 scintillated like the lamps of light-houses4 ,and ,prada1 amidst the dreamy silence of his companions and the infinite melancholy of the evening and the inexpressible distress which even he experienced1 continued to ask himself what course he should adopt4 ,again and again he mentally repeated that he could not allow people to be poisoned4 ,the figs were certainly intended for ,cardinal ,boccanera1 and on the whole it mattered little to him whether there were a cardinal the more or the fewer in the world4 ,moreover1 it had always seemed to him best to let ,destiny follow its course2 and1 infidel that he was1 he saw no harm in one priest devouring another4 ,again1 it might be dangerous for him to intervene in that abominable affair1 to mix himself up in the base1 fathomless intrigues of the black world4 ,but on the other hand the ,cardinal was not the only person who lived in the ,boccanera mansion1 and might not the figs go to others1 might they not be eaten by people to whom no harm was intended8 ,this idea of a treacherous chance haunted him1 and in spite of every effort the figures of ,benedetta and ,dario rose up before him1 returned and imposed themselves on him though he again and again sought to banish them from his mind4 ,what if ,benedetta1 what if ,dario should partake of that fruit8 ,for ,benedetta he felt no fear1 for he knew that she and her aunt ate their meals by themselves1 and that their cuisine and the ,cardinal's had nothing in common4 ,but ,dario sat at his uncle's table every day1 and for a moment ,prada1 pictured the young ,prince suddenly seized with a spasm1 then falling1 like poor ,monsignor ,gallo1 into the ,cardinal's arms with livid face and receding eyes1 and dying within two hours4 ,but no1 no6 ,that would be frightful1 he could not suffer such an abomination4 ,and thereupon he made up his mind4 ,he would wait till the night had completely gathered round and would then simply take the basket from ,santobono's lap and fling it into some dark hollow without saying a word4 ,the priest would understand him4 ,the other one1 the young ,frenchman1 would perhaps not even notice the incident4 ,besides1 that mattered little1 for he would not even attempt to explain his action4 ,and he felt quite calm again when the idea occurred to him to throw the basket away while the carriage passed through the ,porta ,furba1 a couple of miles or so before reaching ,rome4 ,that would suit him exactly2 in the darkness of the gateway nothing whatever would be seen4 ,we stopped too long at that _/osteria_/1 he suddenly exclaimed aloud1 turning towards ,pierre4 ,we sha'n't reach ,rome much before six o'clock4 ,still you will have time to dress and join your friend4 ,and then without awaiting the young man's reply he said to ,santobono3 ,your figs will arrive very late1 ,abbe4 ,oh6 answered the priest1 his ,eminence receives until eight o'clock4 ,and1 besides1 the figs are not for this evening4 ,people don't eat figs in the evening4 ,they will be for to-morrow morning4 ,and thereupon he again relapsed into silence4 ,for to-morrow morning--yes1 yes1 no doubt1 repeated ,prada4 ,and the ,cardinal will be able to thoroughly regale himself if nobody helps him to eat the fruit4 ,thereupon ,pierre1 without pausing to reflect1 exclaimed3 ,he will no doubt eat it by himself1 for his nephew1 ,prince ,dario1 must have started to-day for ,naples on a little convalescence trip to rid himself of the effects of the accident which laid him up during the last month4 ,then1 having got so far1 the young priest remembered to whom he was speaking1 and abruptly stopped short4 ,the ,count noticed his embarrassment4 ,oh6 speak on1 my dear ,monsieur ,froment1 said he1 you don't offend me4 ,it's an old affair now4 ,so that young man has left1 you say8 ,yes1 unless he has postponed his departure4 ,however1 ,i don't expect to find him at the palazzo when ,i get there4 ,for a moment the only sound was that of the continuous rumble of the wheels4 ,prada again felt worried1 a prey to the discomfort of uncertainty4 ,why should he mix himself up in the affair if ,dario were really absent8 ,all the ideas which came to him tired his brain1 and he ended by thinking aloud3 ,if he has gone away it must be for propriety's sake1 so as to avoid attending the ,buongiovanni reception1 for the ,congregation of the ,council met this morning to give its decision in the suit which the ,countess has brought against me4 ,yes1 ,i shall know by and by whether our marriage is to be dissolved4 ,it was in a somewhat hoarse voice that he spoke these words1 and one could realise that the old wound was again bleeding within him4 ,although ,lisbeth had borne him a son1 the charge levelled against him in his wife's petition for divorce still filled him with blind fury each time that he thought of it4 ,and all at once he shuddered violently1 as if an icy blast had darted through his frame4 ,then1 turning the conversation1 he added3 ,it's not at all warm this evening4 ,this is the dangerous hour of the ,roman climate1 the twilight hour when it's easy to catch a terrible fever if one isn't prudent4 ,here1 pull the rug over your legs1 wrap it round you as carefully as you can4 ,then1 as they drew near the ,porta ,furba1 silence again fell1 more profound1 like the slumber which was invincibly spreading over the ,campagna1 now steeped in night4 ,and at last1 in the bright starlight1 appeared the gate1 an arch of the ,acqua ,felice1 under which the road passed4 ,from a distance1 this fragment seemed to bar the way with its mass of ancient half-fallen walls4 ,but afterwards the gigantic arch where all was black opened like a gaping porch4 ,and the carriage passed under it in darkness whilst the wheels rumbled with increased sonority4 ,when the victoria emerged on the other side1 ,santobono still had the little basket of figs upon his knees and ,prada looked at it1 quite overcome1 asking himself what sudden paralysis of the hands had prevented him from seizing it and throwing it into the darkness4 ,such had still been his intention but a few seconds before they passed under the arch4 ,he had even given the basket a final glance in order that he might the better realise what movements he should make4 ,what had taken place within him then8 ,at present he was yielding to increasing irresolution1 henceforth incapable of decisive action1 feeling a need of delay in order that he might1 before everything else1 fully satisfy himself as to what was likely to happen4 ,and as ,dario had doubtless gone away and the figs would certainly not be eaten until the following morning1 what reason was there for him to hurry8 ,he would know that evening if the ,congregation of the ,council had annulled his marriage1 he would know how far the so-called ,justice of ,god was venal and mendacious6 ,certainly he would suffer nobody to be poisoned1 not even ,cardinal ,boccanera1 though the latter's life was of little account to him personally4 ,but had not that little basket1 ever since leaving ,frascati1 been like ,destiny on the march8 ,and was it not enjoyment1 the enjoyment of omnipotence1 to be able to say to himself that he was the master who could stay that basket's course1 or allow it to go onward and accomplish its deadly purpose8 ,moreover1 he yielded to the dimmest of mental struggles1 ceasing to reason1 unable to raise his hand1 and yet convinced that he would drop a warning note into the letter-box at the palazzo before he went to bed1 though at the same time he felt happy in the thought that if his interest directed otherwise he would not do so4 ,and the remainder of the journey was accomplished in silent weariness1 amidst the shiver of evening which seemed to have chilled all three men4 ,in vain did the ,count endeavour to escape from the battle of his thoughts1 by reverting to the ,buongiovanni reception1 and giving particulars of the splendours which would be witnessed at it3 his words fell sparsely in an embarrassed and absent-minded way4 ,then he sought to inspirit ,pierre by speaking to him of ,cardinal ,sanguinetti's amiable manner and fair words1 but although the young priest was returning home well pleased with his journey1 in the idea that with a little help he might yet triumph1 he scarcely answered the ,count1 so wrapt he was in his reverie4 ,and ,santobono1 on his side1 neither spoke nor moved4 ,black like the night itself1 he seemed to have vanished4 ,however1 the lights of ,rome were increasing in number1 and houses again appeared on either hand1 at first at long intervals1 and then in close succession4 ,they were suburban houses1 and there were yet more fields of reeds1 quickset hedges1 olive-trees overtopping long walls1 and big gateways with vase-surmounted pillars2 but at last came the city with its rows of small grey houses1 its petty shops and its dingy taverns1 whence at times came shouts and rumours of battle4 ,prada insisted on setting his companions down in the ,via ,giulia1 at fifty paces from the palazzo4 ,it doesn't inconvenience me at all1 said he to ,pierre4 ,besides1 with the little time you have before you1 it would never do for you to go on foot4 ,the ,via ,giulia was already steeped in slumber1 and wore a melancholy aspect of abandonment in the dreary light of the gas lamps standing on either hand4 ,and as soon as ,santobono had alighted from the carriage1 he took himself off without waiting for ,pierre1 who1 moreover1 always went in by the little door in the side lane4 ,good-bye1 ,abbe1 exclaimed ,prada4 ,good-bye1 ,count1 a thousand thanks1 was ,santobono's response4 ,then the two others stood watching him as he went towards the ,boccanera mansion1 whose old1 monumental entrance1 full of gloom1 was still wide open4 ,for a moment they saw his tall1 rugged figure erect against that gloom4 ,then in he plunged1 he and his little basket1 bearing ,destiny4 ,,xii ,,it was ten o'clock when ,pierre and ,narcisse1 after dining at the ,caffe di ,roma1 where they had long lingered chatting1 at last walked down the ,corso towards the ,palazzo ,buongiovanni4 ,they had the greatest difficulty to reach its entrance1 for carriages were coming up in serried files1 and the inquisitive crowd of on-lookers1 who pressed even into the roadway1 in spite of the injunctions of the police1 was growing so compact that even the horses could no longer approach4 ,the ten lofty windows on the first floor of the long monumental facade shone with an intense white radiance1 the radiance of electric lamps1 which illumined the street like sunshine1 spreading over the equipages aground in that human sea1 whose billows of eager1 excited faces rolled to and fro amidst an extraordinary tumult4 ,and in all this there was not merely the usual curiosity to see uniforms go by and ladies in rich attire alight from their carriages1 for ,pierre soon gathered from what he heard that the crowd had come to witness the arrival of the ,king and ,queen1 who had promised to appear at the ball given by ,prince ,buongiovanni1 in celebration of the betrothal of his daughter ,celia to ,lieutenant ,attilio ,sacco1 the son of one of his ,majesty's ministers4 ,moreover1 people were enraptured with this marriage1 the happy ending of a love story which had impassioned the whole city3 to begin with1 love at first sight1 with the suddenness of a lightning-flash1 and then stubborn fidelity triumphing over all obstacles1 amidst romantic circumstances whose story sped from lip to lip1 moistening every eye and stirring every heart4 ,it was this story that ,narcisse had related at dessert to ,pierre1 who already knew some portion of it4 ,people asserted that if the ,prince had ended by yielding after a final terrible scene1 it was only from fear of seeing ,celia elope from the palace with her lover4 ,she did not threaten to do so1 but1 amidst her virginal calmness1 there was so much contempt for everything foreign to her love1 that her father felt her to be capable of acting with the greatest folly in all ingenuousness4 ,only indifference was manifested by the ,prince's wife1 a phlegmatic and still beautiful ,englishwoman1 who considered that she had done quite enough for the household by bringing her husband a dowry of five millions1 and bearing him five children4 ,the ,prince1 anxious and weak despite his violence1 in which one found a trace of the old ,roman blood1 already spoilt by mixture with that of a foreign race1 was nowadays ever influenced in his actions by the fear that his house and fortune--which hitherto had remained intact amidst the accumulated ruins of the _/patriziato_/--might suddenly collapse4 ,and in finally yielding to ,celia1 he must have been guided by the idea of rallying to the new _/regime_/ through his daughter1 so as to have one foot firmly set at the ,quirinal1 without withdrawing the other from the ,vatican4 ,it was galling1 no doubt2 his pride must have bled at the idea of allying his name with that of such low folks as the ,saccos4 ,but then ,sacco was a minister1 and had sped so quickly from success to success that it seemed likely he would rise yet higher1 and1 after the portfolio of ,agriculture1 secure that of ,finances1 which he had long coveted4 ,and an alliance with ,sacco meant the certain favour of the ,king1 an assured retreat in that direction should the papacy some day collapse4 ,then1 too1 the ,prince had made inquiries respecting the son1 and was somewhat disarmed by the good looks1 bravery1 and rectitude of young ,attilio1 who represented the future1 and possibly the glorious ,italy of to-morrow4 ,he was a soldier1 and could be helped forward to the highest rank4 ,and people spitefully added that the last reason which had influenced the ,prince1 who was very avaricious1 and greatly worried by the thought that his fortune must be divided among his five children199 was that an opportunity presented itself for him to bestow a ridiculously small dowry on ,celia4 ,however1 having consented to the marriage1 he resolved to give a splendid _/fete_/1 such as was now seldom witnessed in ,rome1 throwing his doors open to all the rival sections of society1 inviting the sovereigns1 and setting the palazzo ablaze as in the grand days of old4 ,in doing this he would necessarily have to expend some of the money to which he clung1 but a boastful spirit incited him to show the world that he at any rate had not been vanquished by the financial crisis1 and that the ,buongiovannis had nothing to hide and nothing to blush for4 ,to tell the truth1 some people asserted that this bravado had not originated with himself1 but had been instilled into him without his knowledge by the quiet and innocent ,celia1 who wished to exhibit her happiness to all applauding ,rome4 99 ,the ,italian succession law is similar to the ,french4 ,children cannot be disinherited4 ,all property is divided among them1 and thus the piling up of large hereditary fortunes is prevented4--,trans4 ,dear me6 said ,narcisse1 whom the throng prevented from advancing4 ,we shall never get in4 ,why1 they seem to have invited the whole city4 ,and then1 as ,pierre seemed surprised to see a prelate drive up in his carriage1 the _/attache_/ added3 ,oh6 you will elbow more than one of them upstairs4 ,the cardinals won't like to come on account of the presence of the ,king and ,queen1 but the prelates are sure to be here4 ,this1 you know1 is a neutral drawing-room where the black and the white worlds can fraternise4 ,and then too1 there are so few _/fetes_/ that people rush on them4 ,he went on to explain that there were two grand balls at ,court every winter1 but that it was only under exceptional circumstances that the _/patriziato_/ gave similar _/galas_/4 ,two or three of the black _/salons_/ were opened once in a way towards the close of the ,carnival1 but little dances among intimates replaced the pompous entertainments of former times4 ,some princesses moreover merely had their day4 ,and as for the few white _/salons_/ that existed1 these likewise retained the same character of intimacy1 more or less mixed1 for no lady had yet become the undisputed queen of the new society4 ,well1 here we are at last1 resumed ,narcisse as they eventually climbed the stairs4 ,let us keep together1 ,pierre somewhat anxiously replied4 ,my only acquaintance is with the _/fiancee_/1 and ,i want you to introduce me4 ,however1 a considerable effort was needed even to climb the monumental staircase1 so great was the crush of arriving guests4 ,never1 in the old days of wax candles and oil lamps1 had this staircase offered such a blaze of light4 ,electric lamps1 burning in clusters in superb bronze candelabra on the landings1 steeped everything in a white radiance4 ,the cold stucco of the walls was hidden by a series of lofty tapestries depicting the story of ,cupid and ,psyche1 marvels which had remained in the family since the days of the ,renascence4 ,and a thick carpet covered the worn marble steps1 whilst clumps of evergreens and tall spreading palms decorated every corner4 ,an affluence of new blood warmed the antique mansion that evening2 there was a resurrection of life1 so to say1 as the women surged up the staircase1 smiling and perfumed1 bare-shouldered1 and sparkling with diamonds4 ,at the entrance of the first reception-room ,pierre at once perceived ,prince and ,princess ,buongiovanni1 standing side by side and receiving their guests4 ,the ,prince1 a tall1 slim man with fair complexion and hair turning grey1 had the pale northern eyes of his ,american mother in an energetic face such as became a former captain of the popes4 ,the ,princess1 with small1 delicate1 and rounded features1 looked barely thirty1 though she had really passed her fortieth year4 ,and still pretty1 displaying a smiling serenity which nothing could disconcert1 she purely and simply basked in self-adoration4 ,her gown was of pink satin1 and a marvellous parure of large rubies set flamelets about her dainty neck and in her fine1 fair hair4 ,of her five children1 her son1 the eldest1 was travelling1 and three of the girls1 mere children1 were still at school1 so that only ,celia was present1 ,celia in a modest gown of white muslin1 fair like her mother1 quite bewitching with her large innocent eyes and her candid lips1 and retaining to the very end of her love story the semblance of a closed lily of impenetrable1 virginal mysteriousness4 ,the ,saccos had but just arrived1 and ,attilio1 in his simple lieutenant's uniform1 had remained near his betrothed1 so naively and openly delighted with his great happiness that his handsome face1 with its caressing mouth and brave eyes1 was quite resplendent with youth and strength4 ,standing there1 near one another1 in the triumph of their passion they appeared like life's very joy and health1 like the personification of hope in the morrow's promises2 and the entering guests who saw them could not refrain from smiling and feeling moved1 momentarily forgetting their loquacious and malicious curiosity to give their hearts to those chosen ones of love who looked so handsome and so enraptured4 ,narcisse stepped forward in order to present ,pierre1 but ,celia anticipated him4 ,going to meet the young priest she led him to her father and mother1 saying3 ,monsieur l',abbe ,pierre ,froment1 a friend of my dear ,benedetta4 ,ceremonious salutations followed4 ,then the young girl1 whose graciousness greatly touched ,pierre1 said to him3 ,benedetta is coming with her aunt and ,dario4 ,she must be very happy this evening6 ,and you will also see how beautiful she will be4 ,pierre and ,narcisse next began to congratulate her1 but they could not remain there1 the throng was ever jostling them2 and the ,prince and ,princess1 quite lost in the crush1 had barely time to answer the many salutations with amiable1 continuous nods4 ,and ,celia1 after conducting the two friends to ,attilio1 was obliged to return to her parents so as to take her place beside them as the little queen of the _/fete_/4 ,narcisse was already slightly acquainted with ,attilio1 and so fresh congratulations ensued4 ,then the two friends manoeuvred to find a spot where they might momentarily tarry and contemplate the spectacle which this first _/salon_/ presented4 ,it was a vast hall1 hung with green velvet broidered with golden flowers1 and contained a very remarkable collection of weapons and armour1 breast-plates1 battle-axes1 and swords1 almost all of which had belonged to the ,buongiovannis of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries4 ,and amidst those stern implements of war there was a lovely sedan-chair of the last century1 gilded and decorated with delicate paintings4 ,it was in this chair that the ,prince's great-grandmother1 the celebrated ,bettina1 whose beauty was historical1 had usually been carried to mass4 ,on the walls1 moreover1 there were numerous historical paintings3 battles1 peace congresses1 and royal receptions in which the ,buongiovannis had taken part1 without counting the many family portraits1 tall and proud figures of sea-captains1 commanders in the field1 great dignitaries of the ,church1 prelates and cardinals1 amongst whom1 in the place of honour1 appeared the family pope1 the white-robed ,buongiovanni whose accession to the pontifical throne had enriched a long line of descendants4 ,and it was among those armours1 near that coquettish sedan1 and below those antique portraits1 that the ,saccos1 husband and wife1 had in their turn just halted1 at a few steps from the master and mistress of the house1 in order to secure their share of congratulations and bows4 ,look over there6 ,narcisse whispered to ,pierre1 those are the ,saccos in front of us1 that dark little fellow and the lady in mauve silk4 ,pierre promptly recognised the bright face and pleasant smile of ,stefana1 whom he had already met at old ,orlando's4 ,but he was more interested in her husband1 a dark dry man1 with big eyes1 sallow complexion1 prominent chin1 and vulturine nose4 ,like some gay ,neapolitan ,pulcinello1 he was dancing1 shouting1 and displaying such infectious good humour that it spread to all around him4 ,he possessed a wonderful gift of speech1 with a voice that was unrivalled as an instrument of fascination and conquest2 and on seeing how easily he ingratiated himself with the people in that drawing-room1 one could understand his lightning-like successes in the political world4 ,he had manoeuvered with rare skill in the matter of his son's marriage1 affecting such exaggerated delicacy of feeling as to set himself against the lovers1 and declare that he would never consent to their union1 as he had no desire to be accused of stealing a dowry and a title4 ,as a matter of fact1 he had only yielded after the ,buongiovannis had given their consent1 and even then he had desired to take the opinion of old ,orlando1 whose lofty integrity was proverbial4 ,however1 he knew right well that he would secure the old hero's approval in this particular affair1 for ,orlando made no secret of his opinion that the ,buongiovannis ought to be glad to admit his grand-nephew into their family1 as that handsome young fellow1 with brave and healthy heart1 would help to regenerate their impoverished blood4 ,and throughout the whole affair1 ,sacco had shrewdly availed himself of ,orlando's famous name1 for ever talking of the relationship between them1 and displaying filial veneration for this glorious founder of the country1 as if indeed he had no suspicion that the latter despised and execrated him and mourned his accession to power in the conviction that he would lead ,italy to shame and ruin4 ,ah6 resumed ,narcisse addressing ,pierre1 he's one of those supple1 practical men who care nothing for a smack in the face4 ,it seems that unscrupulous individuals like himself become necessary when states get into trouble and have to pass through political1 financial1 and moral crises4 ,it is said that ,sacco with his imperturbable assurance and ingenious and resourceful mind has quite won the ,king's favour4 ,just look at him6 ,why1 with that crowd of courtiers round him1 one might think him the master of this palace6 ,and indeed the guests1 after passing the ,prince and ,princess with a bow1 at once congregated around ,sacco1 for he represented power1 emoluments1 pensions1 and crosses2 and if folks still smiled at seeing his dark1 turbulent1 and scraggy figure amidst that framework of family portraits which proclaimed the mighty ancestry of the ,buongiovannis1 they none the less worshipped him as the personification of the new power1 the democratic force which was confusedly rising even from the old ,roman soil where the _/patriziato_/ lay in ruins4 ,what a crowd6 muttered ,pierre4 ,who are all these people8 ,oh6 replied ,narcisse1 it is a regular mixture4 ,these people belong neither to the black nor the white world2 they form a grey world as it were4 ,the evolution was certain2 a man like ,cardinal ,boccanera may retain an uncompromising attitude1 but a whole city1 a nation can't4 ,the ,pope alone will always say no and remain immutable4 ,but everything around him progresses and undergoes transformation1 so that in spite of all resistance1 ,rome will become ,italian in a few years' time4 ,even now1 whenever a prince has two sons only one of them remains on the side of the ,vatican1 the other goes over to the ,quirinal4 ,people must live1 you see2 and the great families threatened with annihilation have not sufficient heroism to carry obstinacy to the point of suicide4 ,and ,i have already told you that we are here on neutral ground1 for ,prince ,buongiovanni was one of the first to realise the necessity of conciliation4 ,he feels that his fortune is perishing1 he does not care to risk it either in industry or in speculation1 and already sees it portioned out among his five children1 by whose descendants it will be yet further divided2 and this is why he prudently makes advances to the ,king without1 however1 breaking with the ,pope4 ,in this _/salon_/1 therefore1 you see a perfect picture of the _/debacle_/1 the confusion which reigns in the ,prince's ideas and opinions4 ,narcisse paused1 and then began to name some of the persons who were coming in4 ,there's a general1 said he1 who has become very popular since his last campaign in ,africa4 ,there will be a great many military men here this evening1 for all ,attilio's superiors have been invited1 so as to give the young man an _/entourage_/ of glory4 ,ah6 and there's the ,german ambassador4 ,i fancy that nearly all the ,corps ,diplomatique will come on account of their ,majesties' presence4 ,but1 by way of contrast1 just look at that stout fellow yonder4 ,he's a very influential deputy1 a _/parvenu_/ of the new middle class4 ,thirty years ago he was merely one of ,prince ,albertini's farmers1 one of those _/mercanti di campagna_/ who go about the environs of ,rome in stout boots and a soft felt hat4 ,and now look at that prelate coming in-- ,oh6 ,i know him1 ,pierre interrupted4 ,he's ,monsignor ,fornaro4 ,exactly1 ,monsignor ,fornaro1 a personage of some importance4 ,you told me1 ,i remember1 that he is the reporter of the ,congregation in that affair of your book4 ,a most delightful man6 ,did you see how he bowed to the ,princess8 ,and what a noble and graceful bearing he has in his little mantle of violet silk6 ,then ,narcisse went on enumerating the princes and princesses1 the dukes and duchesses1 the politicians and functionaries1 the diplomatists and ministers1 and the officers and well-to-do middle-class people1 who of themselves made up a most wonderful medley of guests1 to say nothing of the representatives of the various foreign colonies1 ,english people1 ,americans1 ,germans1 ,spaniards1 and ,russians1 in a word1 all ancient ,europe1 and both ,americas4 ,and afterwards the young man reverted to the ,saccos1 to the little ,signora ,sacco in particular1 in order to tell ,pierre of the heroic efforts which she had made to open a _/salon_/ for the purpose of assisting her husband's ambition4 ,gentle and modest as she seemed1 she was also very shrewd1 endowed with genuine qualities1 ,piedmontese patience and strength of resistance1 orderly habits and thriftiness4 ,and thus it was she who re-established the equilibrium in household affairs which her husband by his exuberance so often disturbed4 ,he was indeed greatly indebted to her1 though nobody suspected it4 ,at the same time1 however1 she had so far failed in her attempts to establish a white _/salon_/ which should take the lead in influencing opinion4 ,only the people of her own set visited her1 not a single prince ever came1 and her ,monday dances were the same as in a score of other middle-class homes1 having no brilliancy and no importance4 ,in fact1 the real white _/salon_/1 which should guide men and things and sway all ,rome was still in dreamland4 ,just notice her keen smile as she examines everything here1 resumed ,narcisse4 ,she's teaching herself and forming plans1 ,i'm sure of it4 ,now that she is about to be connected with a princely family she probably hopes to receive some of the best society4 ,large as was the room1 the crowd in it had by this time grown so dense that the two friends were pressed back to a wall1 and felt almost stifled4 ,the _/attache_/ therefore decided to lead the priest elsewhere1 and as they walked along he gave him some particulars concerning the palace1 which was one of the most sumptuous in ,rome1 and renowned for the magnificence of its reception-rooms4 ,dancing took place in the picture gallery1 a superb apartment more than sixty feet long1 with eight windows overlooking the ,corso2 while the buffet was installed in the ,hall of the ,antiques1 a marble hall1 which among other precious things contained a statue of ,venus1 rivalling the one at the ,capitol4 ,then there was a suite of marvellous _/salons_/1 still resplendent with ancient luxury1 hung with the rarest stuffs1 and retaining some unique specimens of old-time furniture1 on which covetous antiquaries kept their eyes fixed1 whilst waiting and hoping for the inevitable future ruin4 ,and one of these apartments1 the little ,saloon of the ,mirrors1 was particularly famous4 ,of circular shape and ,louis ,,xv style1 it was surrounded by mirrors in _/rococo_/ frames1 extremely rich1 and most exquisitely carved4 ,you will see all that by and by1 continued ,narcisse4 ,at present we had better go in here if we want to breathe a little4 ,it is here that the arm-chairs from the adjacent gallery have been brought for the accommodation of the ladies who desire to sit down and be seen and admired4 ,the apartment they entered was a spacious one1 draped with the most superb ,genoese velvet1 that antique _/jardiniere_/ velvet with pale satin ground1 and flowers once of dazzling brightness1 whose greens and blues and reds had now become exquisitely soft1 with the subdued1 faded tones of old floral love-tokens4 ,on the pier tables and in the cabinets all around were some of the most precious curios in the palace1 ivory caskets1 gilt and painted wood carvings1 pieces of antique plate--briefly1 a collection of marvels4 ,and several ladies1 fleeing the crush1 had already taken refuge on the numerous seats1 clustering in little groups1 and laughing and chatting with the few gentlemen who had discovered this retreat of grace and _/galanterie_/4 ,in the bright glow of the lamps nothing could be more delightful than the sight of all those bare1 sheeny shoulders1 and those supple necks1 above whose napes were coiled tresses of fair or raven hair4 ,bare arms emerged like living flowers of flesh from amidst the mingling lace and silk of soft-hued bodices4 ,the fans played slowly1 as if to heighten the fires of the precious stones1 and at each beat wafted around an _/odore di femina_/ blended with a predominating perfume of violets4 ,hallo6 exclaimed ,narcisse1 there's our good friend ,monsignor ,nani bowing to the ,austrian ambassadress4 ,as soon as ,nani perceived the young priest and his companion he came towards them1 and the trio then withdrew into the embrasure of a window in order that they might chat for a moment at their ease4 ,the prelate was smiling like one enchanted with the beauty of the _/fete_/1 but at the same time he retained all the serenity of innocence1 as if he had not even noticed the exhibition of bare shoulders by which he was surrounded4 ,ah1 my dear son6 he said to ,pierre1 ,i am very pleased to see you6 ,well1 and what do you think of our ,rome when she makes up her mind to give _/fetes_/8 ,why1 it is superb1 ,monseigneur4 ,then1 in an emotional manner1 ,nani spoke of ,celia's lofty piety2 and1 in order to give the ,vatican the credit of this sumptuous _/gala_/1 affected to regard the ,prince and ,princess as staunch adherents of the ,church1 as if he were altogether unaware that the ,king and ,queen were presently coming4 ,and afterwards he abruptly exclaimed3 ,i have been thinking of you all day1 my dear son4 ,yes1 ,i heard that you had gone to see his ,eminence ,cardinal ,sanguinetti4 ,well1 and how did he receive you8 ,oh6 in a most paternal manner1 ,pierre replied4 ,at first he made me understand the embarrassment in which he was placed by his position as protector of ,lourdes2 but just as ,i was going off he showed himself charming1 and promised me his help with a delicacy which deeply touched me4 ,did he indeed1 my dear son8 ,but it doesn't surprise me1 his ,eminence is so good-hearted6 ,and ,i must add1 ,monseigneur1 that ,i came back with a light and hopeful heart4 ,it now seems to me as if my suit were half gained4 ,naturally1 ,i understand it1 replied ,nani1 who was still smiling with that keen1 intelligent smile of his1 sharpened by a touch of almost imperceptible irony4 ,and after a short pause he added in a very simple way3 ,the misfortune is that on the day before yesterday your book was condemned by the ,congregation of the ,index1 which was convoked by its ,secretary expressly for that purpose4 ,and the judgment will be laid before his ,holiness1 for him to sign it1 on the day after to-morrow4 ,pierre looked at the prelate in bewilderment4 ,had the old mansion fallen on his head he would not have felt more overcome4 ,what6 was it all over8 ,his journey to ,rome1 the experiment he had come to attempt there1 had resulted in that defeat1 of which he was thus suddenly apprised amidst that betrothal _/fete_/4 ,and he had not even been able to defend himself1 he had sacrificed his time without finding any one to whom he might speak1 before whom he might plead his cause6 ,anger was rising within him1 and he could not prevent himself from muttering bitterly3 ,ah6 how ,i have been duped6 ,and that ,cardinal who said to me only this morning3 ',if ,god be with you he will save you in spite of everything4' ,yes1 yes1 ,i now understand him2 he was juggling with words1 he only desired a disaster in order that submission might lead me to ,heaven6 ,submit1 indeed1 ah6 ,i cannot1 ,i cannot yet6 ,my heart is too full of indignation and grief4 ,nani examined and studied him with curiosity4 ,but my dear son1 he said1 nothing is final so long as the ,holy ,father has not signed the judgment4 ,you have all to-morrow and even the morning of the day after before you4 ,a miracle is always possible4 ,then1 lowering his voice and drawing ,pierre on one side whilst ,narcisse in an aesthetical spirit examined the ladies1 he added3 ,listen1 ,i have a communication to make to you in great secrecy4 ,come and join me in the little ,saloon of the ,mirrors by and by1 during the ,cotillon4 ,we shall be able to talk there at our ease4 ,pierre nodded1 and thereupon the prelate discreetly withdrew and disappeared in the crowd4 ,however1 the young man's ears were buzzing2 he could no longer hope2 what indeed could he accomplish in one day since he had lost three months without even being able to secure an audience with the ,pope8 ,and his bewilderment increased as he suddenly heard ,narcisse speaking to him of art4 ,it's astonishing how the feminine figure has deteriorated in these dreadful democratic days4 ,it's all fat and horribly common4 ,not one of those women yonder shows the ,florentine contour1 with small bosom and slender1 elegant neck4 ,ah6 that one yonder isn't so bad perhaps1 the fair one with her hair coiled up1 whom ,monsignor ,fornaro has just approached4 ,for a few minutes indeed ,monsignor ,fornaro had been fluttering from beauty to beauty1 with an amiable air of conquest4 ,he looked superb that evening with his lofty decorative figure1 blooming cheeks1 and victorious affability4 ,no unpleasant scandal was associated with his name2 he was simply regarded as a prelate of gallant ways who took pleasure in the society of ladies4 ,and he paused and chatted1 and leant over their bare shoulders with laughing eyes and humid lips as if experiencing a sort of devout rapture4 ,however1 on perceiving ,narcisse whom he occasionally met1 he at once came forward and the _/attache_/ had to bow to him4 ,you have been in good health ,i hope1 ,monseigneur1 since ,i had the honour of seeing you at the embassy4 ,oh6 yes1 ,i am very well1 very well indeed4 ,what a delightful _/fete_/1 is it not8 ,pierre also had bowed4 ,this was the man whose report had brought about the condemnation of his book2 and it was with resentment that he recalled his caressing air and charming greeting1 instinct with such lying promise4 ,however1 the prelate1 who was very shrewd1 must have guessed that the young priest was already acquainted with the decision of the ,congregation1 and have thought it more dignified to abstain from open recognition2 for on his side he merely nodded and smiled at him4 ,what a number of people6 he went on1 and how many charming persons there are6 ,it will soon be impossible for one to move in this room4 ,all the seats in fact were now occupied by ladies1 and what with the strong perfume of violets and the exhalations of warm necks and shoulders the atmosphere was becoming most oppressive4 ,the fans flapped more briskly1 and clear laughter rang out amidst a growing hubbub of conversation in which the same words constantly recurred4 ,some news1 doubtless1 had just arrived1 some rumour was being whispered from group to group1 throwing them all into feverish excitement4 ,as it happened1 ,monsignor ,fornaro1 who was always well informed1 desired to be the proclaimer of this news1 which nobody as yet had ventured to announce aloud4 ,do you know what is exciting them all8 he inquired4 ,is it the ,holy ,father's illness8 asked ,pierre in his anxiety4 ,is he worse this evening8 ,the prelate looked at him in astonishment1 and then somewhat impatiently replied3 ,oh1 no1 no4 ,his ,holiness is much better1 thank ,heaven4 ,a person belonging to the ,vatican was telling me just now that he was able to get up this afternoon and receive his intimates as usual4 ,all the same1 people have been alarmed1 interrupted ,narcisse4 ,i must confess that we did not feel easy at the embassy1 for a ,conclave at the present time would be a great worry for ,france4 ,she would exercise no influence at it4 ,it is a great mistake on the part of our ,republican ,government to treat the ,holy ,see as of no importance6 ,however1 can one ever tell whether the ,pope is ill or not8 ,i know for a certainty that he was nearly carried off last winter when nobody breathed a word about any illness1 whereas on the last occasion when the newspapers killed him and talked about a dreadful attack of bronchitis1 ,i myself saw him quite strong and in the best of spirits6 ,his reported illnesses are mere matters of policy1 ,i fancy499 99 ,there is much truth in this2 but the reader must not imagine that the ,pope is never ill4 ,at his great age1 indispositions are only natural4--,trans4 ,with a hasty gesture1 however1 ,monsignor ,fornaro brushed this importunate subject aside4 ,no1 no1 said he1 people are tranquillised and no longer talk of it4 ,what excites all those ladies is that the ,congregation of the ,council to-day voted the dissolution of the ,prada marriage by a great majority4 ,again did ,pierre feel moved4 ,however1 not having had time to see any members of the ,boccanera family on his return from ,frascati he feared that the news might be false and said so4 ,thereupon the prelate gave his word of honour that things were as he stated4 ,the news is certain1 he declared4 ,i had it from a member of the ,congregation4 ,and then1 all at once1 he apologised and hurried off3 ,excuse me but ,i see a lady whom ,i had not yet caught sight of1 and desire to pay my respects to her4 ,he at once hastened to the lady in question1 and1 being unable to sit down1 inclined his lofty figure as if to envelop her with his gallant courtesy2 whilst she1 young1 fresh1 and bare-shouldered1 laughed with a pearly laugh as his cape of violet silk lightly brushed her sheeny skin4 ,you know that person1 don't you8 ,narcisse inquired of ,pierre4 ,no6 ,really8 ,why1 that is ,count ,prada's _/inamorata_/1 the charming ,lisbeth ,kauffmann1 by whom he has just had a son4 ,it's her first appearance in society since that event4 ,she's a ,german1 you know1 and lost her husband here4 ,she paints a little2 in fact1 rather nicely4 ,a great deal is forgiven to the ladies of the foreign colony1 and this one is particularly popular on account of the very affable manner in which she receives people at her little palazzo in the ,via ,principe ,amedeo4 ,as you may imagine1 the news of the dissolution of that marriage must amuse her6 ,she looked really exquisite1 that ,lisbeth1 very fair1 rosy1 and gay1 with satiny skin1 soft blue eyes1 and lips wreathed in an amiable smile1 which was renowned for its grace4 ,and that evening1 in her gown of white silk spangled with gold1 she showed herself so delighted with life1 so securely happy in the thought that she was free1 that she loved and was loved in return1 that the whispered tidings1 the malicious remarks exchanged behind the fans of those around her1 seemed to turn to her personal triumph4 ,for a moment all eyes had sought her1 and people talked of the outcome of her connection with ,prada1 the man whose manhood the ,church solemnly denied by its decision of that very day6 ,and there came stifled laughter and whispered jests1 whilst she1 radiant in her insolent serenity1 accepted with a rapturous air the gallantry of ,monsignor ,fornaro1 who congratulated her on a painting of the ,virgin with the lily1 which she had lately sent to a fine-art show4 ,ah6 that matrimonial nullity suit1 which for a year had supplied ,rome with scandal1 what a final hubbub it occasioned as the tidings of its termination burst forth amidst that ball6 ,the black and white worlds had long chosen it as a battlefield for the exchange of incredible slander1 endless gossip1 the most nonsensical tittle-tattle4 ,and now it was over2 the ,vatican with imperturbable impudence had pronounced the marriage null and void on the ground that the husband was no man1 and all ,rome would laugh over the affair1 with that free scepticism which it displayed as soon as the pecuniary affairs of the ,church came into question4 ,the incidents of the struggle were already common property3 ,prada's feelings revolting to such a point that he had withdrawn from the contest1 the ,boccaneras moving heaven and earth in their feverish anxiety1 the money which they had distributed among the creatures of the various cardinals in order to gain their influence1 and the large sum which they had indirectly paid for the second and favourable report of ,monsignor ,palma4 ,people said that1 altogether1 more than a hundred thousand francs had been expended1 but this was not thought over-much1 as a well-known ,french countess had been obliged to disburse nearly ten times that amount to secure the dissolution of her marriage4 ,but then the ,holy ,father's need was so great6 ,and1 moreover1 nobody was angered by this venality2 it merely gave rise to malicious witticisms2 and the fans continued waving in the increasing heat1 and the ladies quivered with contentment as the whispered pleasantries took wing and fluttered over their bare shoulders4 ,oh6 how pleased the ,contessina must be6 ,pierre resumed4 ,i did not understand what her little friend1 ,princess ,celia1 meant by saying when we came in that she would be so happy and beautiful this evening4 ,it is doubtless on that account that she is coming here1 after cloistering herself all the time the affair lasted1 as if she were in mourning4 ,however1 ,lisbeth's eyes had chanced to meet those of ,narcisse1 and as she smiled at him he was1 in his turn1 obliged to pay his respects to her1 for1 like everybody else of the foreign colony1 he knew her through having visited her studio4 ,he was again returning to ,pierre when a fresh outburst of emotion stirred the diamond aigrettes and the flowers adorning the ladies' hair4 ,people turned to see what was the matter1 and again did the hubbub increase4 ,ah6 it's ,count ,prada in person6 murmured ,narcisse1 with an admiring glance4 ,he has a fine bearing1 whatever folks may say4 ,dress him up in velvet and gold1 and what a splendid1 unscrupulous1 fifteenth-century adventurer he would make6 ,prada entered the room1 looking quite gay1 in fact1 almost triumphant4 ,and above his large1 white shirtfront1 edged by the black of his coat1 he really had a commanding1 predacious expression1 with his frank1 stern eyes1 and his energetic features barred by a large black moustache4 ,never had a more rapturous smile of sensuality revealed the wolfish teeth of his voracious mouth4 ,with rapid glances he took stock of the women1 dived into their very souls4 ,then1 on seeing ,lisbeth1 who looked so pink1 and fair1 and girlish1 his expression softened1 and he frankly went up to her1 without troubling in the slightest degree about the ardent1 inquisitive eyes which were turned upon him4 ,as soon as ,monsignor ,fornaro had made room1 he stooped and conversed with the young woman in a low tone4 ,and she no doubt confirmed the news which was circulating1 for as he again drew himself erect1 he laughed a somewhat forced laugh1 and made an involuntary gesture4 ,however1 he then caught sight of ,pierre1 and joined him in the embrasure of the window2 and when he had also shaken hands with ,narcisse1 he said to the young priest with all his wonted _/bravura_/3 ,you recollect what ,i told you as we were coming back from ,frascati8 ,well1 it's done1 it seems1 they've annulled my marriage4 ,it's such an impudent1 such an imbecile decision1 that ,i still doubted it a moment ago6 ,oh6 the news is certain1 ,pierre made bold to reply4 ,it has just been confirmed to us by ,monsignor ,fornaro1 who had it from a member of the ,congregation4 ,and it is said that the majority was very large4 ,prada again shook with laughter4 ,no1 no1 said he1 such a farce is beyond belief6 ,it's the finest smack given to justice and common-sense that ,i know of4 ,ah6 if the marriage can also be annulled by the civil courts1 and if my friend whom you see yonder be only willing1 we shall amuse ourselves in ,rome6 ,yes1 indeed1 ,i'd marry her at ,santa ,maria ,maggiore with all possible pomp4 ,and there's a dear little being in the world who would take part in the _/fete_/ in his nurse's arms6 ,he laughed too loud as he spoke1 alluded in too brutal a fashion to his child1 that living proof of his manhood4 ,was it suffering that made his lips curve upwards and reveal his white teeth8 ,it could be divined that he was quivering1 fighting against an awakening of covert1 tumultuous passion1 which he would not acknowledge even to himself4 ,and you1 my dear ,abbe8 he hastily resumed4 ,do you know the other report8 ,do you know that the ,countess is coming here8 ,it was thus1 by force of habit1 that he designated ,benedetta1 forgetting that she was no longer his wife4 ,yes1 ,i have just been told so1 ,pierre replied2 and then he hesitated for a moment before adding1 with a desire to prevent any disagreeable surprise3 ,and we shall no doubt see ,prince ,dario also1 for he has not started for ,naples as ,i told you4 ,something prevented his departure at the last moment1 ,i believe4 ,at least so ,i gathered from a servant4 ,prada no longer laughed4 ,his face suddenly became grave1 and he contented himself with murmuring3 ,ah6 so the cousin is to be of the party4 ,well1 we shall see them1 we shall see them both6 ,then1 whilst the two friends went on chatting1 he became silent1 as if serious considerations impelled him to reflect4 ,and suddenly making a gesture of apology he withdrew yet farther into the embrasure in which he stood1 pulled a note-book out of his pocket1 and tore from it a leaf on which1 without modifying his handwriting otherwise than by slightly enlarging it1 he pencilled these four lines3 ,a legend avers that the fig tree of ,judas now grows at ,frascati1 and that its fruit is deadly for him who may desire to become ,pope4 ,eat not the poisoned figs1 nor give them either to your servants or your fowls4 ,then he folded the paper1 fastened it with a postage stamp1 and wrote on it the address3 ,to his most ,reverend and most ,illustrious ,eminence1 ,cardinal ,boccanera4 ,and when he had placed everything in his pocket again1 he drew a long breath and once more called back his laugh4 ,a kind of invincible discomfort1 a far-away terror had momentarily frozen him4 ,without being guided by any clear train of reasoning1 he had felt the need of protecting himself against any cowardly temptation1 any possible abomination4 ,he could not have told what course of ideas had induced him to write those four lines without a moment's delay1 on the very spot where he stood1 under penalty of contributing to a great catastrophe4 ,but one thought was firmly fixed in his brain1 that on leaving the ball he would go to the ,via ,giulia and throw that note into the letter-box at the ,palazzo ,boccanera4 ,and that decided1 he was once more easy in mind4 ,why1 what is the matter with you1 my dear ,abbe8 he inquired on again joining in the conversation of the two friends4 ,you are quite gloomy4 ,and on ,pierre telling him of the bad news which he had received1 the condemnation of his book1 and the single day which remained to him for action if he did not wish his journey to ,rome to result in defeat1 he began to protest as if he himself needed agitation and diversion in order to continue hopeful and bear the ills of life4 ,never mind1 never mind1 don't worry yourself1 said he1 one loses all one's strength by worrying4 ,a day is a great deal1 one can do ever so many things in a day4 ,an hour1 a minute suffices for ,destiny to intervene and turn defeat into victory6 ,he grew feverish as he spoke1 and all at once added1 ,come1 let's go to the ball-room4 ,it seems that the scene there is something prodigious4 ,then he exchanged a last loving glance with ,lisbeth whilst ,pierre and ,narcisse followed him1 the three of them extricating themselves from their corner with the greatest difficulty1 and then wending their way towards the adjoining gallery through a sea of serried skirts1 a billowy expanse of necks and shoulders whence ascended the passion which makes life1 the odour alike of love and of death4 ,with its eight windows overlooking the ,corso1 their panes uncurtained and throwing a blaze of light upon the houses across the road1 the picture gallery1 sixty-five feet in length and more than thirty in breadth1 spread out with incomparable splendour4 ,the illumination was dazzling4 ,clusters of electric lamps had changed seven pairs of huge marble candelabra into gigantic _/torcheres_/1 akin to constellations2 and all along the cornice up above1 other lamps set in bright-hued floral glasses formed a marvellous garland of flaming flowers3 tulips1 paeonies1 and roses4 ,the antique red velvet worked with gold1 which draped the walls1 glowed like a furnace fire4 ,about the doors and windows there were hangings of old lace broidered with flowers in coloured silk whose hues had the very intensity of life4 ,but the sight of sights beneath the sumptuous panelled ceiling adorned with golden roses1 the unique spectacle of a richness not to be equalled1 was the collection of masterpieces such as no museum could excel4 ,there were works of ,raffaelle and ,titian1 ,rembrandt and ,rubens1 ,velasquez and ,ribera1 famous works which in this unexpected illumination suddenly showed forth1 triumphant with youth regained1 as if awakened to the immortal life of genius4 ,and1 as their ,majesties would not arrive before midnight1 the ball had just been opened1 and flights of soft-hued gowns were whirling in a waltz past all the pompous throng1 the glittering jewels and decorations1 the gold-broidered uniforms and the pearl-broidered robes1 whilst silk and satin and velvet spread and overflowed upon every side4 ,it is prodigious1 really6 declared ,prada with his excited air2 let us go this way and place ourselves in a window recess again4 ,there is no better spot for getting a good view without being too much jostled4 ,they lost ,narcisse somehow or other1 and on reaching the desired recess found themselves but two1 ,pierre and the ,count4 ,the orchestra1 installed on a little platform at the far end of the gallery1 had just finished the waltz1 and the dancers1 with an air of giddy rapture1 were slowly walking through the crowd when a fresh arrival caused every head to turn4 ,donna ,serafina1 arrayed in a robe of purple silk as if she had worn the colours of her brother the ,cardinal1 was making a royal entry on the arm of ,consistorial-,advocate ,morano4 ,and never before had she laced herself so tightly1 never had her waist looked so slim and girlish2 and never had her stern1 wrinkled face1 which her white hair scarcely softened1 expressed such stubborn and victorious domination4 ,a discreet murmur of approval ran round1 a murmur of public relief as it were1 for all ,roman society had condemned the unworthy conduct of ,morano in severing a connection of thirty years to which the drawing-rooms had grown as accustomed as if it had been a legal marriage4 ,the rupture had lasted for two months1 to the great scandal of ,rome where the cult of long and faithful affections still abides4 ,and so the reconciliation touched every heart and was regarded as one of the happiest consequences of the victory which the ,boccaneras had that day gained in the affair of ,benedetta's marriage4 ,morano repentant and ,donna ,serafina reappearing on his arm1 nothing could have been more satisfactory2 love had conquered1 decorum was preserved and good order re-established4 ,but there was a deeper sensation as soon as ,benedetta and ,dario were seen to enter1 side by side1 behind the others4 ,this tranquil indifference for the ordinary forms of propriety1 on the very day when the marriage with ,prada had been annulled1 this victory of love1 confessed and celebrated before one and all1 seemed so charming in its audacity1 so full of the bravery of youth and hope1 that the pair were at once forgiven amidst a murmur of universal admiration4 ,and as in the case of ,celia and ,attilio1 all hearts flew to them1 to their radiant beauty1 to the wondrous happiness that made their faces so resplendent4 ,dario1 still pale after his long convalescence1 somewhat slight and delicate of build1 with the fine clear eyes of a big child1 and the dark curly beard of a young god1 bore himself with a light pride1 in which all the old princely blood of the ,boccaneras could be traced4 ,and ,benedetta1 she so white under her casque of jetty hair1 she so calm and so sensible1 wore her lovely smile1 that smile so seldom seen on her face but which was irresistibly fascinating1 transfiguring her1 imparting the charm of a flower to her somewhat full mouth1 and filling the infinite of her dark and fathomless eyes with a radiance as of heaven4 ,and in this gay return of youth and happiness1 an exquisite instinct had prompted her to put on a white gown1 a plain girlish gown which symbolised her maidenhood1 which told that she had remained through all a pure untarnished lily for the husband of her choice4 ,and nothing of her form was to be seen1 not a glimpse of bosom or shoulder4 ,it was as if the impenetrable1 redoubtable mystery of love1 the sovereign beauty of woman slumbered there1 all powerful1 but veiled with white4 ,again1 not a jewel appeared on her fingers or in her ears4 ,there was simply a necklace falling about her _/corsage_/1 but a necklace fit for royalty1 the famous pearl necklace of the ,boccaneras1 which she had inherited from her mother1 and which was known to all ,rome--pearls of fabulous size cast negligently about her neck1 and sufficing1 simply as she was gowned1 to make her queen of all4 ,oh6 murmured ,pierre in ecstasy1 how happy and how beautiful she is6 ,but he at once regretted that he had expressed his thoughts aloud1 for beside him he heard a low plaint1 an involuntary growl which reminded him of the ,count's presence4 ,however1 ,prada promptly stifled this cry of returning anguish1 and found strength enough to affect a brutish gaiety3 ,the devil6 said he1 they have plenty of impudence4 ,i hope we shall see them married and bedded at once6 ,then regretting this coarse jest which had been prompted by the revolt of passion1 he sought to appear indifferent3 ,she looks very nice this evening1 he said2 she has the finest shoulders in the world1 you know1 and its a real success for her to hide them and yet appear more beautiful than ever4 ,he went on speaking1 contriving to assume an easy tone1 and giving various little particulars about the ,countess as he still obstinately called the young woman4 ,however1 he had drawn rather further into the recess1 for fear1 no doubt1 that people might remark his pallor1 and the painful twitch which contracted his mouth4 ,he was in no state to fight1 to show himself gay and insolent in presence of the joy which the lovers so openly and naively expressed4 ,and he was glad of the respite which the arrival of the ,king and ,queen at this moment offered him4 ,ah6 here are their ,majesties6 he exclaimed1 turning towards the window4 ,look at the scramble in the street6 ,although the windows were closed1 a tumult could be heard rising from the footways4 ,and ,pierre on looking down saw1 by the light of the electric lamps1 a sea of human heads pour over the road and encompass the carriages4 ,he had several times already seen the ,king during the latter's daily drives to the grounds of the ,villa ,borghese1 whither he came like any private gentleman--unguarded1 unescorted1 with merely an aide-de-camp accompanying him in his victoria4 ,at other times he drove a light phaeton with only a footman in black livery to attend him4 ,and on one occasion ,pierre had seen him with the ,queen1 the pair of them seated side by side like worthy middle-class folks driving abroad for pleasure4 ,and1 as the royal couple went by1 the busy people in the streets and the promenaders in the public gardens contented themselves with wafting them an affectionate wave of the hand1 the most expansive simply approaching to smile at them1 and no one importuning them with acclamations4 ,pierre1 who harboured the traditional idea of kings closely guarded and passing processionally with all the accompaniment of military pomp1 was therefore greatly surprised and touched by the amiable _/bonhomie_/ of this royal pair1 who went wherever they listed in full security amidst the smiling affection of their people4 ,everybody1 moreover1 had told him of the ,king's kindliness and simplicity1 his desire for peace1 and his passion for sport1 solitude1 and the open air1 which1 amidst the worries of power1 must often have made him dream of a life of freedom far from the imperious duties of royalty for which he seemed unfitted499 ,but the ,queen was yet more tenderly loved4 ,so naturally and serenely virtuous that she alone remained ignorant of the scandals of ,rome1 she was also a woman of great culture and great refinement1 conversant with every field of literature1 and very happy in being so intelligent1 so superior to those around her--a pre-eminence which she realised and which she was fond of showing1 but in the most natural and most graceful of ways4 99 ,king ,humbert inherited these tastes from his father ,victor ,emanuel1 who was likewise a great sportsman and had a perfect horror of court life1 pageantry1 and the exigencies of politics4--,trans4 ,like ,pierre1 ,prada had remained with his face to the window1 and suddenly pointing to the crowd he said3 ,now that they have seen the ,queen they will go to bed well pleased4 ,and there isn't a single police agent there1 ,i'm sure4 ,ah6 to be loved1 to be loved6 ,plainly enough his distress of spirit was coming back1 and so1 turning towards the gallery again1 he tried to play the jester4 ,attention1 my dear ,abbe1 we mustn't miss their ,majesties' entry4 ,that will be the finest part of the _/fete_/6 ,a few minutes went by1 and then1 in the very midst of a polka1 the orchestra suddenly ceased playing4 ,but a moment afterwards1 with all the blare of its brass instruments1 it struck up the ,royal ,march4 ,the dancers fled in confusion1 the centre of the gallery was cleared1 and the ,king and ,queen entered1 escorted by the ,prince and ,princess ,buongiovanni1 who had received them at the foot of the staircase4 ,the ,king was in ordinary evening dress1 while the ,queen wore a robe of straw-coloured satin1 covered with superb white lace2 and under the diadem of brilliants which encircled her beautiful fair hair1 she looked still young1 with a fresh and rounded face1 whose expression was all amiability1 gentleness1 and wit4 ,the music was still sounding with the enthusiastic violence of welcome4 ,behind her father and mother1 ,celia appeared amidst the press of people who were following to see the sight2 and then came ,attilio1 the ,saccos1 and various relatives and official personages4 ,and1 pending the termination of the ,royal ,march1 only salutations1 glances1 and smiles were exchanged amidst the sonorous music and dazzling light2 whilst all the guests crowded around on tip-toe1 with outstretched necks and glittering eyes--a rising tide of heads and shoulders1 flashing with the fires of precious stones4 ,at last the march ended and the presentations began4 ,their ,majesties were already acquainted with ,celia1 and congratulated her with quite affectionate kindliness4 ,however1 ,sacco1 both as minister and father1 was particularly desirous of presenting his son ,attilio4 ,he bent his supple spine1 and summoned to his lips the fine words which were appropriate1 in such wise that he contrived to make the young man bow to the ,king in the capacity of a lieutenant in his ,majesty's army1 whilst his homage as a handsome young man1 so passionately loved by his betrothed was reserved for ,queen ,margherita4 ,again did their ,majesties show themselves very gracious1 even towards the ,signora ,sacco who1 ever modest and prudent1 had remained in the background4 ,and then occurred an incident that was destined to give rise to endless gossip4 ,catching sight of ,benedetta1 whom ,count ,prada had presented to her after his marriage1 the ,queen1 who greatly admired her beauty and charm of manner1 addressed her a smile in such wise that the young woman was compelled to approach4 ,a conversation of some minutes' duration ensued1 and the ,contessina was favoured with some extremely amiable expressions which were perfectly audible to all around4 ,most certainly the ,queen was ignorant of the event of the day1 the dissolution of ,benedetta's marriage with ,prada1 and her coming union with ,dario so publicly announced at this _/gala_/1 which now seemed to have been given to celebrate a double betrothal4 ,nevertheless that conversation caused a deep impression2 the guests talked of nothing but the compliments which ,benedetta had received from the most virtuous and intelligent of queens1 and her triumph was increased by it all1 she became yet more beautiful and more victorious amidst the happiness she felt at being at last able to bestow herself on the spouse of her choice1 that happiness which made her look so radiant4 ,but1 on the other hand1 the torture which ,prada experienced now became intense4 ,whilst the sovereigns continued conversing1 the ,queen with the ladies who came to pay her their respects1 the ,king with the officers1 diplomatists1 and other important personages who approached him1 ,prada saw none but ,benedetta--,benedetta congratulated1 caressed1 exalted by affection and glory4 ,dario was near her1 flushing with pleasure1 radiant like herself4 ,it was for them that this ball had been given1 for them that the lamps shone out1 for them that the music played1 for them that the most beautiful women of ,rome had bared their bosoms and adorned them with precious stones4 ,it was for them that their ,majesties had entered to the strains of the ,royal ,march1 for them that the _/fete_/ was becoming like an apotheosis1 for them that a fondly loved queen was smiling1 appearing at that betrothal _/gala_/ like the good fairy of the nursery tales1 whose coming betokens life-long happiness4 ,and for ,prada1 this wondrously brilliant hour when good fortune and joyfulness attained their apogee1 was one of defeat4 ,it was fraught with the victory of that woman who had refused to be his wife in aught but name1 and of that man who now was about to take her from him3 such a public1 ostentatious1 insulting victory that it struck him like a buffet in the face4 ,and not merely did his pride and passion bleed for that3 he felt that the triumph of the ,saccos dealt a blow to his fortune4 ,was it true1 then1 that the rough conquerors of the ,north were bound to deteriorate in the delightful climate of ,rome1 was that the reason why he already experienced such a sensation of weariness and exhaustion8 ,that very morning at ,frascati in connection with that disastrous building enterprise he had realised that his millions were menaced1 albeit he refused to admit that things were going badly with him1 as some people rumoured4 ,and now1 that evening1 amidst that _/fete_/ he beheld the ,south victorious1 ,sacco winning the day like one who feeds at his ease on the warm prey so gluttonously pounced upon under the flaming sun4 ,and the thought of ,sacco being a minister1 an intimate of the ,king1 allying himself by marriage to one of the noblest families of the ,roman aristocracy1 and already laying hands on the people and the national funds with the prospect of some day becoming the master of ,rome and ,italy--that thought again was a blow for the vanity of this man of prey1 for the ever voracious appetite of this enjoyer1 who felt as if he were being pushed away from table before the feast was over6 ,all crumbled and escaped him1 ,sacco stole his millions1 and ,benedetta tortured his flesh1 stirring up that awful wound of unsatisfied passion which never would be healed4 ,again did ,pierre hear that dull plaint1 that involuntary despairing growl1 which had upset him once before4 ,and he looked at the ,count1 and asked him3 ,are you suffering8 ,but on seeing how livid was the face of ,prada1 who only retained his calmness by a superhuman effort1 he regretted his indiscreet question1 which1 moreover1 remained unanswered4 ,and then to put the other more at ease1 the young priest went on speaking1 venting the thoughts which the sight before him inspired3 ,your father was right1 said he1 we ,frenchmen whose education is so full of the ,catholic spirit1 even in these days of universal doubt1 we never think of ,rome otherwise than as the old ,rome of the popes4 ,we scarcely know1 we can scarcely understand the great changes which1 year by year1 have brought about the ,italian ,rome of the present day4 ,why1 when ,i arrived here1 the ,king and his government and the young nation working to make a great capital for itself1 seemed to me of no account whatever6 ,yes1 ,i dismissed all that1 thought nothing of it1 in my dream of resuscitating a ,christian and evangelical ,rome1 which should assure the happiness of the world4 ,he laughed as he spoke1 pitying his own artlessness1 and then pointed towards the gallery where ,prince ,buongiovanni was bowing to the ,king whilst the ,princess listened to the gallant remarks of ,sacco3 a scene full of symbolism1 the old papal aristocracy struck down1 the _/parvenus_/ accepted1 the black and white worlds so mixed together that one and all were little else than subjects1 on the eve of forming but one united nation4 ,that conciliation between the ,quirinal and the ,vatican which in principle was regarded as impossible1 was it not in practice fatal1 in face of the evolution which went on day by day8 ,people must go on living1 loving1 and creating life throughout the ages4 ,and the marriage of ,attilio and ,celia would be the symbol of the needful union3 youth and love triumphing over ancient hatred1 all quarrels forgotten as a handsome lad goes by1 wins a lovely girl1 and carries her off in his arms in order that the world may last4 ,look at them6 resumed ,pierre1 how handsome and young and gay both the _/fiances_/ are1 all confidence in the future4 ,ah6 ,i well understand that your ,king should have come here to please his minister and win one of the old ,roman families over to his throne2 it is good1 brave1 and fatherly policy4 ,but ,i like to think that he has also realised the touching significance of that marriage--old ,rome1 in the person of that candid1 loving child giving herself to young ,italy1 that upright1 enthusiastic young man who wears his uniform so jauntily4 ,and may their nuptials be definitive and fruitful2 from them and from all the others may there arise the great nation which1 now that ,i begin to know you1 ,i trust you will soon become6 ,amidst the tottering of his former dream of an evangelical and universal ,rome1 ,pierre expressed these good wishes for the ,eternal ,city's future fortune with such keen and deep emotion that ,prada could not help replying3 ,i thank you2 that wish of yours is in the heart of every good ,italian4 ,but his voice quavered1 for even whilst he was looking at ,celia and ,attilio1 who stood smiling and talking together1 he saw ,benedetta and ,dario approach them1 wearing the same joyful expression of perfect happiness4 ,and when the two couples were united1 so radiant and so triumphant1 so full of superb and happy life1 he no longer had strength to stay there1 see them1 and suffer4 ,i am frightfully thirsty1 he hoarsely exclaimed4 ,let's go to the buffet to drink something4 ,and1 thereupon1 in order to avoid notice1 he so manoeuvred as to glide behind the throng1 skirting the windows in the direction of the entrance to the ,hall of the ,antiques1 which was beyond the gallery4 ,whilst ,pierre was following him they were parted by an eddy of the crowd1 and the young priest found himself carried towards the two loving couples who still stood chatting together4 ,and ,celia1 on recognising him1 beckoned to him in a friendly way4 ,with her passionate cult for beauty1 she was enraptured with the appearance of ,benedetta1 before whom she joined her little lily hands as before the image of the ,madonna4 ,oh6 ,monsieur l',abbe1 said she1 to please me now1 do tell her how beautiful she is1 more beautiful than anything on earth1 more beautiful than even the sun1 and the moon and stars4 ,if you only knew1 my dear1 it makes me quiver to see you so beautiful as that1 as beautiful as happiness1 as beautiful as love itself6 ,benedetta began to laugh1 while the two young men made merry4 ,but you are as beautiful as ,i am1 darling1 said the ,contessina4 ,and if we are beautiful it is because we are happy4 ,yes1 yes1 happy1 ,celia gently responded4 ,do you remember the evening when you told me that one didn't succeed in marrying the ,pope and the ,king8 ,but ,attilio and ,i are marrying them1 and yet we are very happy4 ,but we don't marry them1 ,dario and ,i6 ,on the contrary6 said ,benedetta gaily4 ,no matter2 as you answered me that same evening1 it is sufficient that we should love one another1 love saves the world4 ,when ,pierre at last succeeded in reaching the door of the ,hall of the ,antiques1 where the buffet was installed1 he found ,prada there1 motionless1 gazing despite himself on the galling spectacle which he desired to flee4 ,a power stronger than his will had kept him there1 forcing him to turn round and look1 and look again4 ,and thus1 with a bleeding heart1 he still lingered and witnessed the resumption of the dancing1 the first figure of a quadrille which the orchestra began to play with a lively flourish of its brass instruments4 ,benedetta and ,dario1 ,celia and ,attilio were _/vis--vis_/4 ,and so charming and delightful was the sight which the two couples presented dancing in the white blaze1 all youth and joy1 that the ,king and ,queen drew near to them and became interested4 ,and soon bravos of admiration rang out1 while from every heart spread a feeling of infinite tenderness4 ,i'm dying of thirst1 let's go6 repeated ,prada1 at last managing to wrench himself away from the torturing sight4 ,he called for some iced lemonade and drank the glassful at one draught1 gulping it down with the greedy eagerness of a man stricken with fever1 who will never more be able to quench the burning fire within him4 ,the ,hall of the ,antiques was a spacious room with mosaic pavement1 and decorations of stucco2 and a famous collection of vases1 bas-reliefs1 and statues1 was disposed along its walls4 ,the marbles predominated1 but there were a few bronzes1 and among them a dying gladiator of extreme beauty4 ,the marvel however was the famous statue of ,venus1 a companion to that of the ,capitol1 but with a more elegant and supple figure and with the left arm falling loosely in a gesture of voluptuous surrender4 ,that evening a powerful electric reflector threw a dazzling light upon the statue1 which1 in its divine and pure nudity1 seemed to be endowed with superhuman1 immortal life4 ,against the end-wall was the buffet1 a long table covered with an embroidered cloth and laden with fruit1 pastry1 and cold meats4 ,sheaves of flowers rose up amidst bottles of champagne1 hot punch1 and iced _/sorbetto_/1 and here and there were marshalled armies of glasses1 tea-cups1 and broth-bowls1 a perfect wealth of sparkling crystal1 porcelain1 and silver4 ,and a happy innovation had been to fill half of the hall with rows of little tables1 at which the guests1 in lieu of being obliged to refresh themselves standing1 were able to sit down and order what they desired as in a cafe4 ,at one of these little tables1 ,pierre perceived ,narcisse seated near a young woman1 whom ,prada1 on approaching1 recognised to be ,lisbeth4 ,you find me1 you see1 in delightful company1 gallantly exclaimed the _/attache_/4 ,as we lost one another1 ,i could think of nothing better than of offering madame my arm to bring her here4 ,it was1 in fact1 a good idea1 said ,lisbeth with her pretty laugh1 for ,i was feeling very thirsty4 ,they had ordered some iced coffee1 which they were slowly sipping out of little silver-gilt spoons4 ,i have a terrible thirst1 too1 declared the ,count1 and ,i can't quench it4 ,you will allow us to join you1 will you not1 my dear sir8 ,some of that coffee will perhaps calm me4 ,and then to ,lisbeth he added1 ,ah6 my dear1 allow me to introduce to you ,monsieur l',abbe ,froment1 a young ,french priest of great distinction4 ,then for a long time they all four remained seated at that table1 chatting and making merry over certain of the guests who went by4 ,prada1 however1 in spite of his usual gallantry towards ,lisbeth1 frequently became absent-minded2 at times he quite forgot her1 being again mastered by his anguish1 and1 in spite of all his efforts1 his eyes ever turned towards the neighbouring gallery whence the sound of music and dancing reached him4 ,why1 what are you thinking of1 _/caro mio_/8 ,lisbeth asked in her pretty way1 on seeing him at one moment so pale and lost4 ,are you indisposed8 ,he did not reply1 however1 but suddenly exclaimed1 ,ah6 look there1 that's the real pair1 there's real love and happiness for you6 ,with a jerk of the hand he designated ,dario's mother1 the ,marchioness ,montefiori and her second husband1 ,jules ,laporte--that ex-sergeant of the papal ,swiss ,guard1 her junior by fifteen years1 whom she had one day hooked at the ,corso with her eyes of fire1 which yet had remained superb1 and whom she had afterwards triumphantly transformed into a ,marquis ,montefiori in order to have him entirely to herself4 ,such was her passion that she never relaxed her hold on him whether at ball or reception1 but1 despite all usages1 kept him beside her1 and even made him escort her to the buffet1 so much did she delight in being able to exhibit him and say that this handsome man was her own exclusive property4 ,and standing there side by side1 the pair of them began to drink champagne and eat sandwiches1 she yet a marvel of massive beauty although she was over fifty1 and he with long wavy moustaches1 and proud bearing1 like a fortunate adventurer whose jovial impudence pleased the ladies4 ,you know that she had to extricate him from a nasty affair1 resumed the ,count in a lower tone4 ,yes1 he travelled in relics2 he picked up a living by supplying relics on commission to convents in ,france and ,switzerland2 and he had launched quite a business in false relics with the help of some ,jews here who concocted little ancient reliquaries out of mutton bones1 with everything sealed and signed by the most genuine authorities4 ,the affair was hushed up1 as three prelates were also compromised in it6 ,ah6 the happy man6 ,do you see how she devours him with her eyes8 ,and he1 doesn't he look quite a _/grand seigneur_/ by the mere way in which he holds that plate for her whilst she eats the breast of a fowl out of it6 ,then1 in a rough way and with biting irony1 he went on to speak of the _/amours_/ of ,rome4 ,the ,roman women1 said he1 were ignorant1 obstinate1 and jealous4 ,when a woman had managed to win a man1 she kept him for ever1 he became her property1 and she disposed of him as she pleased4 ,by way of proof1 he cited many interminable _/liaisons_/1 such as that of ,donna ,serafina and ,morano which1 in time became virtual marriages2 and he sneered at such a lack of fancy1 such an excess of fidelity whose only ending1 when it did end1 was some very disagreeable unpleasantness4 ,at this1 ,lisbeth interrupted him4 ,but what is the matter with you this evening1 my dear8 she asked with a laugh4 ,what you speak of is on the contrary very nice and pretty6 ,when a man and a woman love one another they ought to do so for ever6 ,she looked delightful as she spoke1 with her fine wavy blonde hair and delicate fair complexion2 and ,narcisse with a languorous expression in his half-closed eyes compared her to a ,botticelli which he had seen at ,florence4 ,however1 the night was now far advanced1 and ,pierre had once more sunk into gloomy thoughtfulness when he heard a passing lady remark that they had already begun to dance the ,cotillon in the gallery2 and thereupon he suddenly remembered that ,monsignor ,nani had given him an appointment in the little ,saloon of the ,mirrors4 ,are you leaving8 hastily inquired ,prada on seeing him rise and bow to ,lisbeth4 ,no1 no1 not yet1 ,pierre answered4 ,oh6 all right4 ,don't go away without me4 ,i want to walk a little1 and ,i'll see you home4 ,it's agreed1 eh8 ,you will find me here4 ,the young priest had to cross two rooms1 one hung with yellow and the other with blue1 before he at last reached the mirrored _/salon_/4 ,this was really an exquisite example of the _/rococo_/ style1 a rotunda as it were of pale mirrors framed with superb gilded carvings4 ,even the ceiling was covered with mirrors disposed slantwise so that on every side things multiplied1 mingled1 and appeared under all possible aspects4 ,discreetly enough no electric lights had been placed in the room1 the only illumination being that of some pink tapers burning in a pair of candelabra4 ,the hangings and upholstery were of soft blue silk1 and the impression on entering was very sweet and charming1 as if one had found oneself in the abode of some fairy queen of the rills1 a palace of limpid water1 illumined to its farthest depths by clusters of stars4 ,pierre at once perceived ,monsignor ,nani1 who was sitting on a low couch1 and1 as the prelate had hoped1 he was quite alone1 for the ,cotillon had attracted almost everybody to the picture gallery4 ,and the silence in the little _/salon_/ was nearly perfect1 for at that distance the blare of the orchestra subsided into a faint1 flute-like murmur4 ,the young priest at once apologised to the prelate for having kept him waiting4 ,no1 no1 my dear son1 said ,nani1 with his inexhaustible amiability4 ,i was very comfortable in this retreat--when the press of the crowd became over-threatening ,i took refuge here4 ,he did not speak of the ,king and ,queen1 but he allowed it to be understood that he had politely avoided their company4 ,if he had come to the _/fete_/ it was on account of his sincere affection for ,celia and also with a very delicate diplomatic object1 for the ,church wished to avoid any appearance of having entirely broken with the ,buongiovanni family1 that ancient house which was so famous in the annals of the papacy4 ,doubtless the ,vatican was unable to subscribe to this marriage which seemed to unite old ,rome with the young ,kingdom of ,italy1 but on the other hand it did not desire people to think that it abandoned old and faithful supporters and took no interest in what befell them4 ,but come1 my dear son1 the prelate resumed1 it is you who are now in question4 ,i told you that although the ,congregation of the ,index had pronounced itself for the condemnation of your book1 the sentence would only be submitted to the ,holy ,father and signed by him on the day after to-morrow4 ,so you still have a whole day before you4 ,at this ,pierre could not refrain from a dolorous and vivacious interruption4 ,alas6 ,monseigneur1 what can ,i do8 said he2 ,i have thought it all over1 and ,i see no means1 no opportunity of defending myself4 ,how could ,i even see his ,holiness now that he is so ill8 ,oh6 ill1 ill6 muttered ,nani with his shrewd expression4 ,his ,holiness is ever so much better1 for this very day1 like every other ,wednesday1 ,i had the honour to be received by him4 ,when his ,holiness is a little tired and people say that he is very ill1 he often lets them do so1 for it gives him a rest and enables him to judge certain ambitions and manifestations of impatience around him4 ,pierre1 however1 was too upset to listen attentively4 ,no1 it's all over1 he continued1 ,i'm in despair4 ,you spoke to me of the possibility of a miracle1 but ,i am no great believer in miracles4 ,since ,i am defeated here at ,rome1 ,i shall go away1 ,i shall return to ,paris1 and continue the struggle there4 ,oh6 ,i cannot resign myself1 my hope in salvation by the practice of love cannot die1 and ,i shall answer my denouncers in a new book1 in which ,i shall tell in what new soil the new religion will grow up6 ,silence fell4 ,nani looked at him with his clear eyes in which intelligence shone distinct and sharp like steel4 ,and amidst the deep calm1 the warm heavy atmosphere of the little _/salon_/1 whose mirrors were starred with countless reflections of candles1 a more sonorous burst of music was suddenly wafted from the gallery1 a rhythmical waltz melody1 which slowly expanded1 then died away4 ,my dear son1 said ,nani1 anger is always harmful4 ,you remember that on your arrival here ,i promised that if your own efforts to obtain an interview with the ,holy ,father should prove unavailing1 ,i would myself endeavour to secure an audience for you4 ,then1 seeing how agitated the young priest was getting1 he went on3 ,listen to me and don't excite yourself4 ,his ,holiness1 unfortunately1 is not always prudently advised4 ,around him are persons whose devotion1 however great1 is at times deficient in intelligence4 ,i told you that1 and warned you against inconsiderate applications4 ,and this is why1 already three weeks ago1 ,i myself handed your book to his ,holiness in the hope that he would deign to glance at it4 ,i rightly suspected that it had not been allowed to reach him4 ,and this is what ,i am instructed to tell you3 his ,holiness1 who has had the great kindness to read your book1 expressly desires to see you4 ,a cry of joy and gratitude died away in ,pierre's throat3 ,ah6 ,monseigneur4 ,ah6 ,monseigneur6 ,but ,nani quickly silenced him and glanced around with an expression of keen anxiety as if he feared that some one might hear them4 ,hush6 ,hush6 said he1 it is a secret4 ,his ,holiness wishes to see you privately1 without taking anybody else into his confidence4 ,listen attentively4 ,it is now two o'clock in the morning4 ,well1 this very day1 at nine in the evening precisely1 you must present yourself at the ,vatican and at every door ask for ,signor ,squadra4 ,you will invariably be allowed to pass4 ,signor ,squadra will be waiting for you upstairs1 and will introduce you4 ,and not a word1 mind2 not a soul must have the faintest suspicion of these things4 ,pierre's happiness and gratitude at last flowed forth4 ,he had caught hold of the prelate's soft1 plump hands1 and stammered1 ,ah6 ,monseigneur1 how can ,i express my gratitude to you8 ,if you only knew how full my soul was of night and rebellion since ,i realised that ,i had been a mere plaything in the hands of those powerful cardinals4 ,but you have saved me1 and again ,i feel sure that ,i shall win the victory1 for ,i shall at last be able to fling myself at the feet of his ,holiness the father of all truth and all justice4 ,he can but absolve me1 ,i who love him1 ,i who admire him1 ,i who have never battled for aught but his own policy and most cherished ideas4 ,no1 no1 it is impossible2 he will not sign that judgment2 he will not condemn my book6 ,releasing his hands1 ,nani sought to calm him with a fatherly gesture1 whilst retaining a faint smile of contempt for such a useless expenditure of enthusiasm4 ,at last he succeeded1 and begged him to retire4 ,the orchestra was again playing more loudly in the distance4 ,and when the young priest at last withdrew1 thanking him once more1 he said very simply1 ,remember1 my dear son1 that only obedience is great4 ,pierre1 whose one desire now was to take himself off1 found ,prada almost immediately afterwards in the first reception-room4 ,their ,majesties had just left the ball in grand ceremony1 escorted to the threshold by the ,buongiovannis and the ,saccos4 ,and before departing the ,queen had maternally kissed ,celia1 whilst the ,king shook hands with ,attilio--honours instinct with a charming good nature which made the members of both families quite radiant4 ,however1 a good many of the guests were following the example of the sovereigns and disappearing in small batches4 ,and the ,count1 who seemed strangely nervous1 and showed more sternness and bitterness than ever1 was1 on his side1 also eager to be gone4 ,ah6 it's you at last4 ,i was waiting for you1 he said to ,pierre4 ,well1 let's get off at once1 eh8 ,your compatriot ,monsieur ,narcisse ,habert asked me to tell you not to look for him4 ,the fact is1 he has gone to see my friend ,lisbeth to her carriage4 ,i myself want a breath of fresh air1 a stroll1 and so ,i'll go with you as far as the ,via ,giulia4 ,then1 as they took their things from the cloak-room1 he could not help sneering and saying in his brutal way3 ,i saw your good friends go off1 all four together4 ,it's lucky that you prefer to go home on foot1 for there was no room for you in the carriage4 ,what superb impudence it was on the part of that ,donna ,serafina to drag herself here1 at her age1 with that ,morano of hers1 so as to triumph over the return of the fickle one6 ,and the two others1 the two young ones--ah6 ,i confess that ,i can hardly speak calmly of _/them_/1 for in parading here together as they did this evening1 they have shown an impudence and a cruelty such as is rarely seen6 ,prada's hands trembled1 and he murmured3 ,a good journey1 a good journey to the young man1 since he is going to ,naples4 ,yes1 ,i heard ,celia say that he was starting for ,naples this evening at six o'clock4 ,well1 my wishes go with him2 a good journey6 ,the two men found the change delightful when they at last emerged from the stifling heat of the reception-rooms into the lovely1 cool1 and limpid night4 ,it was a night illumined by a superb full moon1 one of those matchless ,roman nights when the city slumbers in ,elysian radiance1 steeped in a dream of the ,infinite1 under the vast vault of heaven4 ,and they took the most agreeable route1 going down the ,corso proper and then turning into the ,corso ,vittorio ,emanuele4 ,prada had grown somewhat calmer1 but remained full of irony4 ,to divert his mind1 no doubt1 he talked on in the most voluble manner1 reverting to the women of ,rome and to that _/fete_/ which he had at first found splendid1 but at which he now began to rail4 ,oh6 of course they have very fine gowns1 said he1 speaking of the women2 but gowns which don't fit them1 gowns which are sent them from ,paris1 and which1 of course1 they can't try on4 ,it's just the same with their jewels2 they still have diamonds and pearls1 in particular1 which are very fine1 but they are so wretchedly1 so heavily mounted that they look frightful4 ,and if you only knew how ignorant and frivolous these women are1 despite all their conceit6 ,everything is on the surface with them1 even religion3 there's nothing beneath4 ,i looked at them eating at the buffet4 ,oh6 they at least have fine appetites4 ,this evening some decorum was observed1 there wasn't too much gorging4 ,but at one of the ,court balls you would see a general pillage1 the buffets besieged1 and everything swallowed up amidst a scramble of amazing voracity6 ,to all this talk ,pierre only returned monosyllabic responses4 ,he was wrapped in overflowing delight at the thought of that audience with the ,pope1 which1 unable as he was to confide in any one1 he strove to arrange and picture in his own mind1 even in its pettiest details4 ,and meantime the footsteps of the two men rang out on the dry pavement of the clear1 broad1 deserted thoroughfare1 whose black shadows were sharply outlined by the moonlight4 ,all at once ,prada himself became silent4 ,his loquacious _/bravura_/ was exhausted1 the frightful struggle going on in his mind wholly possessed and paralysed him4 ,twice already he had dipped his hand into his coat pocket and felt the pencilled note whose four lines he mentally repeated3 ,a legend avers that the fig-tree of ,judas now grows at ,frascati1 and that its fruit is deadly for him who may desire to become pope4 ,eat not the poisoned figs1 nor give them either to your servants or your fowls4 ,the note was there2 he could feel it2 and if he had desired to accompany ,pierre1 it was in order that he might drop it into the letter-box at the ,palazzo ,boccanera4 ,and he continued to step out briskly1 so that within another ten minutes that note would surely be in the box1 for no power in the world could prevent it1 since such was his express determination4 ,never would he commit such a crime as to allow people to be poisoned4 ,but he was suffering such abominable torture4 ,that ,benedetta and that ,dario had raised such a tempest of jealous hatred within him6 ,for them he forgot ,lisbeth whom he loved1 and even that flesh of his flesh1 the child of whom he was so proud4 ,all sex as he was1 eager to conquer and subdue1 he had never cared for facile loves4 ,his passion was to overcome4 ,and now there was a woman in the world who defied him1 a woman forsooth whom he had bought1 whom he had married1 who had been handed over to him1 but who would never1 never be his4 ,ah6 in the old days1 to subdue her1 he would if needful have fired ,rome like a ,nero2 but now he asked himself what he could possibly do to prevent her from belonging to another4 ,that galling thought made the blood gush from his gaping wound4 ,how that woman and her lover must deride him6 ,and to think that they had sought to turn him to ridicule by a baseless charge1 an arrant lie which still and ever made him smart1 all proof of its falsity to the contrary4 ,he1 on his side1 had accused them in the past without much belief in what he said1 but now the charges he had imputed to them must come true1 for they were free1 freed at all events of the religious bond1 and that no doubt was their only care4 ,and then visions of their happiness passed before his eyes1 infuriating him4 ,ah6 no1 ah6 no1 it was impossible1 he would rather destroy the world6 ,then1 as he and ,pierre turned out of the ,corso ,vittorio ,emanuele to thread the old narrow tortuous streets leading to the ,via ,giulia1 he pictured himself dropping the note into the letter-box at the palazzo4 ,and next he conjured up what would follow4 ,the note would lie in the letter-box till morning4 ,at an early hour ,don ,vigilio1 the secretary1 who by the ,cardinal's express orders kept the key of the box1 would come down1 find the note1 and hand it to his ,eminence1 who never allowed another to open any communication addressed to him4 ,and then the figs would be thrown away1 there would be no further possibility of crime1 the black world would in all prudence keep silent4 ,but if the note should not be in the letter-box1 what would happen then8 ,and admitting that supposition he pictured the figs placed on the table at the one o'clock meal1 in their pretty little leaf-covered basket4 ,dario would be there as usual1 alone with his uncle1 since he was not to leave for ,naples till the evening4 ,and would both the uncle and the nephew eat the figs1 or would only one of them partake of the fruit1 and which of them would that be8 ,at this point ,prada's clearness of vision failed him2 again he conjured up ,destiny on the march1 that ,destiny which he had met on the road from ,frascati1 going on towards its unknown goal1 athwart all obstacles without possibility of stoppage4 ,aye1 the little basket of figs went ever on and on to accomplish its fateful purpose1 which no hand in the world had power enough to prevent4 ,and at last1 on either hand of ,pierre and ,prada1 the ,via ,giulia stretched away in a long line white with moonlight1 and the priest emerged as if from a dream at sight of the ,palazzo ,boccanera rising blackly under the silver sky4 ,three o'clock struck at a neighbouring church4 ,and he felt himself quivering slightly as once again he heard near him the dolorous moan of a lion wounded unto death1 that low involuntary growl which the ,count1 amidst the frightful struggle of his feelings1 had for the third time allowed to escape him4 ,but immediately afterwards he burst into a sneering laugh1 and pressing the priest's hands1 exclaimed3 ,no1 no1 ,i am not going farther4 ,if ,i were seen here at this hour1 people would think that ,i had fallen in love with my wife again4 ,and thereupon he lighted a cigar1 and retraced his steps in the clear night1 without once looking round4 ,,xiii ,,when ,pierre awoke he was much surprised to hear eleven o'clock striking4 ,fatigued as he was by that ball where he had lingered so long1 he had slept like a child in delightful peacefulness1 and as soon as he opened his eyes the radiant sunshine filled him with hope4 ,his first thought was that he would see the ,pope that evening at nine o'clock4 ,ten more hours to wait6 ,what would he be able to do with himself during that lovely day1 whose radiant sky seemed to him of such happy augury8 ,he rose and opened the windows to admit the warm air which1 as he had noticed on the day of his arrival1 had a savour of fruit and flowers1 a blending1 as it were1 of the perfume of rose and orange4 ,could this possibly be ,december8 ,what a delightful land1 that the spring should seem to flower on the very threshold of winter6 ,then1 having dressed1 he was leaning out of the window to glance across the golden ,tiber at the evergreen slopes of the ,janiculum1 when he espied ,benedetta seated in the abandoned garden of the mansion4 ,and thereupon1 unable to keep still1 full of a desire for life1 gaiety1 and beauty1 he went down to join her4 ,with radiant visage and outstretched hands1 she at once vented the cry he had expected3 ,ah6 my dear ,abbe1 how happy ,i am6 ,they had often spent their mornings in that quiet1 forsaken nook2 but what sad mornings those had been1 hopeless as they both were6 ,to-day1 however1 the weed-grown paths1 the box-plants growing in the old basin1 the orange-trees which alone marked the outline of the beds--all seemed full of charm1 instinct with a sweet and dreamy cosiness in which it was very pleasant to lull one's joy4 ,and it was so warm1 too1 beside the big laurel-bush1 in the corner where the streamlet of water ever fell with flute-like music from the gaping1 tragic mask4 ,ah6 repeated ,benedetta1 how happy ,i am6 ,i was stifling upstairs1 and my heart felt such a need of space1 and air1 and sunlight1 that ,i came down here6 ,she was seated on the fallen column beside the old marble sarcophagus1 and desired the priest to place himself beside her4 ,never had he seen her looking so beautiful1 with her black hair encompassing her pure face1 which in the sunshine appeared pinky and delicate as a flower4 ,her large1 fathomless eyes showed in the light like braziers rolling gold1 and her childish mouth1 all candour and good sense1 laughed the laugh of one who was at last free to love as her heart listed1 without offending either ,god or man4 ,and1 dreaming aloud1 she built up plans for the future4 ,it's all simple enough1 said she2 ,i have already obtained a separation1 and shall easily get that changed into civil divorce now that the ,church has annulled my marriage4 ,and ,i shall marry ,dario next spring1 perhaps sooner1 if the formalities can be hastened4 ,he is going to ,naples this evening about the sale of some property which we still possess there1 but which must now be sold1 for all this business has cost us a lot of money4 ,still1 that doesn't matter since we now belong to one another4 ,and when he comes back in a few days1 what a happy time we shall have6 ,i could not sleep when ,i got back from that splendid ball last night1 for my head was so full of plans--oh6 splendid plans1 as you shall see1 for ,i mean to keep you in ,rome until our marriage4 ,like herself1 ,pierre began to laugh1 so gained upon by this explosion of youth and happiness that he had to make a great effort to refrain from speaking of his own delight1 his hopefulness at the thought of his coming interview with the ,pope4 ,of that1 however1 he had sworn to speak to nobody4 ,every now and again1 amidst the quivering silence of the sunlit garden1 the cry of a bird persistently rang out2 and ,benedetta1 raising her head and looking at a cage hanging beside one of the first-floor windows1 jestingly exclaimed3 ,yes1 yes1 ,tata1 make a good noise1 show that you are pleased1 my dear4 ,everybody in the house must be pleased now4 ,then1 turning towards ,pierre1 she added gaily3 ,you know ,tata1 don't you8 ,what6 ,no8 ,why1 ,tata is my uncle's parrot4 ,i gave her to him last spring2 he's very fond of her1 and lets her help herself out of his plate4 ,and he himself attends to her1 puts her out and takes her in1 and keeps her in his dining-room1 for fear lest she should take cold1 as that is the only room of his which is at all warm4 ,pierre in his turn looked up and saw the bird1 one of those pretty little parrots with soft1 silky1 dull-green plumage4 ,it was hanging by the beak from a bar of its cage1 swinging itself and flapping its wings1 all mirth in the bright sunshine4 ,does the bird talk8 he asked4 ,no1 she only screams1 replied ,benedetta1 laughing4 ,still my uncle pretends that he understands her4 ,and then the young woman abruptly darted to another subject1 as if this mention of her uncle the ,cardinal had made her think of the uncle by marriage whom she had in ,paris4 ,i suppose you have heard from ,viscount de la ,choue1 said she4 ,i had a letter from him yesterday1 in which he said how grieved he was that you were unable to see the ,holy ,father1 as he had counted on you for the triumph of his ideas4 ,pierre indeed frequently heard from the ,viscount1 who was greatly distressed by the importance which his adversary1 ,baron de ,fouras1 had acquired since his success with the ,international ,pilgrimage of the ,peter's ,pence4 ,the old1 uncompromising ,catholic party would awaken1 said the ,viscount1 and all the conquests of ,neo-,catholicism would be threatened1 if one could not obtain the ,holy ,father's formal adhesion to the proposed system of free guilds1 in order to overcome the demand for closed guilds which was brought forward by the ,conservatives4 ,and the ,viscount overwhelmed ,pierre with injunctions1 and sent him all sorts of complicated plans in his eagerness to see him received at the ,vatican4 ,yes1 yes1 muttered the young priest in reply to ,benedetta4 ,i had a letter on ,sunday1 and found another waiting for me on my return from ,frascati yesterday4 ,ah6 it would make me very happy to be able to send the ,viscount some good news4 ,then again ,pierre's joy overflowed at the thought that he would that evening see the ,pope1 and1 on opening his loving heart to the ,pontiff1 receive the supreme encouragement which would strengthen him in his mission to work social salvation in the name of the lowly and the poor4 ,and he could not restrain himself any longer1 but let his secret escape him3 ,it's settled1 you know1 said he4 ,my audience is for this evening4 ,benedetta did not understand at first4 ,what audience8 she asked4 ,oh6 ,monsignor ,nani was good enough to tell me at the ball this morning1 that the ,holy ,father has read my book and desires to see me4 ,i shall be received this evening at nine o'clock4 ,at this the ,contessina flushed with pleasure1 participating in the delight of the young priest to whom she had grown much attached4 ,and this success of his1 coming in the midst of her own felicity1 acquired extraordinary importance in her eyes as if it were an augury of complete success for one and all4 ,superstitious as she was1 she raised a cry of rapture and excitement3 ,ah6 _/,dio_/1 that will bring us good luck4 ,how happy ,i am1 my friend1 to see happiness coming to you at the same time as to me6 ,you cannot think how pleased ,i am6 ,and all will go well now1 it's certain1 for a house where there is any one whom the ,pope welcomes is blessed1 the thunder of ,heaven falls on it no more6 ,she laughed yet more loudly as she spoke1 and clapped her hands with such exuberant gaiety that ,pierre became anxious4 ,hush6 hush6 said he1 it's a secret4 ,pray don't mention it to any one1 either your aunt or even his ,eminence4 ,monsignor ,nani would be much annoyed4 ,she thereupon promised to say nothing1 and in a kindly voice spoke of ,nani as a benefactor1 for was she not indebted to him for the dissolution of her marriage8 ,then1 with a fresh explosion of gaiety1 she went on3 ,but come1 my friend1 is not happiness the only good thing8 ,you don't ask me to weep over the suffering poor to-day6 ,ah6 the happiness of life1 that's everything4 ,people don't suffer or feel cold or hungry when they are happy4 ,he looked at her in stupefaction at the idea of that strange solution of the terrible question of human misery4 ,and suddenly he realised that1 with that daughter of the sun who had inherited so many centuries of sovereign aristocracy1 all his endeavours at conversion were vain4 ,he had wished to bring her to a ,christian love for the lowly and the wretched1 win her over to the new1 enlightened1 and compassionate ,italy that he had dreamt of2 but if she had been moved by the sufferings of the multitude at the time when she herself had suffered1 when grievous wounds had made her own heart bleed1 she was no sooner healed than she proclaimed the doctrine of universal felicity like a true daughter of a clime of burning summers1 and winters as mild as spring4 ,but everybody is not happy6 said he4 ,yes1 yes1 they are6 she exclaimed4 ,you don't know the poor6 ,give a girl of the ,trastevere the lad she loves1 and she becomes as radiant as a queen1 and finds her dry bread quite sweet4 ,the mothers who save a child from sickness1 the men who conquer in a battle1 or who win at the lottery1 one and all in fact are like that1 people only ask for good fortune and pleasure4 ,and despite all your striving to be just and to arrive at a more even distribution of fortune1 the only satisfied ones will be those whose hearts sing--often without their knowing the cause--on a fine sunny day like this4 ,pierre made a gesture of surrender1 not wishing to sadden her by again pleading the cause of all the poor ones who at that very moment were somewhere agonising with physical or mental pain4 ,but1 all at once1 through the luminous mild atmosphere a shadow seemed to fall1 tingeing joy with sadness1 the sunshine with despair4 ,and the sight of the old sarcophagus1 with its bacchanal of satyrs and nymphs1 brought back the memory that death lurks even amidst the bliss of passion1 the unsatiated kisses of love4 ,for a moment the clear song of the water sounded in ,pierre's ears like a long-drawn sob1 and all seemed to crumble in the terrible shadow which had fallen from the invisible4 ,benedetta1 however1 caught hold of his hands and roused him once more to the delight of being there beside her4 ,your pupil is rebellious1 is she not1 my friend8 said she4 ,but what would you have8 ,there are ideas which can't enter into our heads4 ,no1 you will never get those things into the head of a ,roman girl4 ,so be content with loving us as we are1 beautiful with all our strength1 as beautiful as we can be4 ,she herself1 in her resplendent happiness1 looked at that moment so beautiful that he trembled as in presence of a divinity whose all-powerfulness swayed the world4 ,yes1 yes1 he stammered1 beauty1 beauty1 still and ever sovereign4 ,ah6 why can it not suffice to satisfy the eternal longings of poor suffering men8 ,never mind6 she gaily responded4 ,do not distress yourself2 it is pleasant to live4 ,and now let us go upstairs1 my aunt must be waiting4 ,the midday meal was served at one o'clock1 and on the few occasions when ,pierre did not eat at one or another restaurant a cover was laid for him at the ladies' table in the little dining-room of the second floor1 overlooking the courtyard4 ,at the same hour1 in the sunlit dining-room of the first floor1 whose windows faced the ,tiber1 the ,cardinal likewise sat down to table1 happy in the society of his nephew ,dario1 for his secretary1 ,don ,vigilio1 who also was usually present1 never opened his mouth unless to reply to some question4 ,and the two services were quite distinct1 each having its own kitchen and servants1 the only thing at all common to them both being a large room downstairs which served as a pantry and store-place4 ,although the second-floor dining-room was so gloomy1 saddened by the greeny half-light of the courtyard1 the meal shared that day by the two ladies and the young priest proved a very gay one4 ,even ,donna ,serafina1 usually so rigid1 seemed to relax under the influence of great internal felicity4 ,she was no doubt still enjoying her triumph of the previous evening1 and it was she who first spoke of the ball and sung its praises1 though the presence of the ,king and ,queen had much embarrassed her1 said she4 ,according to her account1 she had only avoided presentation by skilful strategy2 however she hoped that her well-known affection for ,celia1 whose god-mother she was1 would explain her presence in that neutral mansion where ,vatican and ,quirinal had met4 ,at the same time she must have retained certain scruples1 for she declared that directly after dinner she was going to the ,vatican to see the ,cardinal ,secretary1 to whom she desired to speak about an enterprise of which she was lady-patroness4 ,this visit would compensate for her attendance at the ,buongiovanni entertainment4 ,and on the other hand never had ,donna ,serafina seemed so zealous and hopeful of her brother's speedy accession to the throne of ,st4 ,peter3 therein lay a supreme triumph1 an elevation of her race1 which her pride deemed both needful and inevitable2 and indeed during ,leo ,,xiii's last indisposition she had actually concerned herself about the trousseau which would be needed and which would require to be marked with the new ,pontiff's arms4 ,on her side1 ,benedetta was all gaiety during the repast1 laughing at everything1 and speaking of ,celia and ,attilio with the passionate affection of a woman whose own happiness delights in that of her friends4 ,then1 just as the dessert had been served1 she turned to the servant with an air of surprise3 ,well1 and the figs1 ,giacomo8 she asked4 ,giacomo1 slow and sleepy of notion1 looked at her without understanding4 ,however1 ,victorine was crossing the room1 and ,benedetta's next question was for her3 ,why are the figs not served1 ,victorine8 she inquired4 ,what figs1 ,contessina8 ,why the figs ,i saw in the pantry as ,i passed through it this morning on my way to the garden4 ,they were in a little basket and looked superb4 ,i was even astonished to see that there were still some fresh figs left at this season4 ,i'm very fond of them1 and felt quite pleased at the thought that ,i should eat some at dinner4 ,victorine began to laugh3 ,ah6 yes1 ,contessina1 ,i understand1 she replied4 ,they were some figs which that priest of ,frascati1 whom you know very well1 brought yesterday evening as a present for his ,eminence4 ,i was there1 and ,i heard him repeat three or four times that they were a present1 and were to be put on his ,eminence's table without a leaf being touched4 ,and so one did as he said4 ,well1 that's nice1 retorted ,benedetta with comical indignation4 ,what _/gourmands_/ my uncle and ,dario are to regale themselves without us6 ,they might have given us a share6 ,donna ,serafina thereupon intervened1 and asked ,victorine3 ,you are speaking1 are you not1 of that priest who used to come to the villa at ,frascati8 ,yes1 yes1 ,abbe ,santobono his name is1 he officiates at the little church of ,st4 ,mary in the ,fields4 ,he always asks for ,abbe ,paparelli when he calls2 ,i think they were at the seminary together4 ,and it was ,abbe ,paparelli who brought him to the pantry with his basket last night4 ,to tell the truth1 the basket was forgotten there in spite of all the injunctions1 so that nobody would have eaten the figs to-day if ,abbe ,paparelli hadn't run down just now and carried them upstairs as piously as if they were the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,it's true though that his ,eminence is so fond of them4 ,my brother won't do them much honour to-day1 remarked the ,princess4 ,he is slightly indisposed4 ,he passed a bad night4 ,the repeated mention of ,abbe ,paparelli had made the old lady somewhat thoughtful4 ,she had regarded the train-bearer with displeasure ever since she had noticed the extraordinary influence he was gaining over the ,cardinal1 despite all his apparent humility and self-effacement4 ,he was but a servant and apparently a very insignificant one1 yet he governed1 and she could feel that he combated her own influence1 often undoing things which she had done to further her brother's interests4 ,twice already1 moreover1 she had suspected him of having urged the ,cardinal to courses which she looked upon as absolute blunders4 ,but perhaps she was wrong2 she did the train-bearer the justice to admit that he had great merits and displayed exemplary piety4 ,however1 ,benedetta went on laughing and jesting1 and as ,victorine had now withdrawn1 she called the man-servant3 ,listen1 ,giacomo1 ,i have a commission for you4 ,then she broke off to say to her aunt and ,pierre3 ,pray let us assert our rights4 ,i can see them at table almost underneath us4 ,uncle is taking the leaves off the basket and serving himself with a smile2 then he passes the basket to ,dario1 who passes it on to ,don ,vigilio4 ,and all three of them eat and enjoy the figs4 ,you can see them1 can't you8 ,she herself could see them well4 ,and it was her desire to be near ,dario1 the constant flight of her thoughts to him that now made her picture him at table with the others4 ,her heart was down below1 and there was nothing there that she could not see1 and hear1 and smell1 with such keenness of the senses did her love endow her4 ,giacomo1 she resumed1 you are to go down and tell his ,eminence that we are longing to taste his figs1 and that it will be very kind of him if he will send us such as he can spare4 ,again1 however1 did ,donna ,serafina intervene1 recalling her wonted severity of voice3 ,giacomo1 you will please stay here4 ,and to her niece she added3 ,that's enough childishness6 ,i dislike such silly freaks4 ,oh6 aunt1 ,benedetta murmured4 ,but ,i'm so happy1 it's so long since ,i laughed so good-heartedly4 ,pierre had hitherto remained listening1 enlivened by the sight of her gaiety4 ,but now1 as a little chill fell1 he raised his voice to say that on the previous day he himself had been astonished to see the famous fig-tree of ,frascati still bearing fruit so late in the year4 ,this was doubtless due1 however1 to the tree's position and the protection of a high wall4 ,ah6 so you saw the tree8 said ,benedetta4 ,yes1 and ,i even travelled with those figs which you would so much like to taste4 ,why1 how was that8 ,the young man already regretted the reply which had escaped him4 ,however1 having gone so far1 he preferred to say everything4 ,i met somebody at ,frascati who had come there in a carriage and who insisted on driving me back to ,rome1 said he4 ,on the way we picked up ,abbe ,santobono1 who was bravely making the journey on foot with his basket in his hand4 ,and afterwards we stopped at an _/osteria_/-- ,then he went on to describe the drive and relate his impressions whilst crossing the ,campagna amidst the falling twilight4 ,but ,benedetta gazed at him fixedly1 aware as she was of ,prada's frequent visits to the land and houses which he owned at ,frascati2 and suddenly she murmured3 ,somebody1 somebody1 it was the ,count1 was it not8 ,yes1 madame1 the ,count1 ,pierre answered4 ,i saw him again last night2 he was overcome1 and really deserves to be pitied4 ,the two women took no offence at this charitable remark which fell from the young priest with such deep and natural emotion1 full as he was of overflowing love and compassion for one and all4 ,donna ,serafina remained motionless as if she had not even heard him1 and ,benedetta made a gesture which seemed to imply that she had neither pity nor hatred to express for a man who had become a perfect stranger to her4 ,however1 she no longer laughed1 but1 thinking of the little basket which had travelled in ,prada's carriage1 she said3 ,ah6 ,i don't care for those figs at all now1 ,i am even glad that ,i haven't eaten any of them4 ,immediately after the coffee ,donna ,serafina withdrew1 saying that she was at once going to the ,vatican2 and the others1 being left to themselves1 lingered at table1 again full of gaiety1 and chatting like friends4 ,the priest1 with his feverish impatience1 once more referred to the audience which he was to have that evening4 ,it was now barely two o'clock1 and he had seven more hours to wait4 ,how should he employ that endless afternoon8 ,thereupon ,benedetta good-naturedly made him a proposal4 ,i'll tell you what1 said she1 as we are all in such good spirits we mustn't leave one another4 ,dario has his victoria1 you know4 ,he must have finished lunch by now1 and ,i'll ask him to take us for a long drive along the ,tiber4 ,this fine project so delighted her that she began to clap her hands2 but just then ,don ,vigilio appeared with a scared look on his face4 ,isn't the ,princess here8 he inquired4 ,no1 my aunt has gone out4 ,what is the matter8 ,his ,eminence sent me4 ,the ,prince has just felt unwell on rising from table4 ,oh6 it's nothing--nothing serious1 no doubt4 ,benedetta raised a cry of surprise rather than anxiety3 ,what1 ,dario6 ,well1 we'll all go down4 ,come with me1 ,monsieur l',abbe4 ,he mustn't get ill if he is to take us for a drive6 ,then1 meeting ,victorine on the stairs1 she bade her follow4 ,dario isn't well1 she said4 ,you may be wanted4 ,they all four entered the spacious1 antiquated1 and simply furnished bed-room where the young ,prince had lately been laid up for a whole month4 ,it was reached by way of a small _/salon_/1 and from an adjoining dressing-room a passage conducted to the ,cardinal's apartments1 the relatively small dining-room1 bed-room1 and study1 which had been devised by subdividing one of the huge galleries of former days4 ,in addition1 the passage gave access to his ,eminence's private chapel1 a bare1 uncarpeted1 chairless room1 where there was nothing beyond the painted1 wooden altar1 and the hard1 cold tiles on which to kneel and pray4 ,on entering1 ,benedetta hastened to the bed where ,dario was lying1 still fully dressed4 ,near him1 in fatherly fashion1 stood ,cardinal ,boccanera1 who1 amidst his dawning anxiety1 retained his proud and lofty bearing--the calmness of a soul beyond reproach4 ,why1 what is the matter1 ,dario _/mio_/8 asked the young woman4 ,he smiled1 eager to reassure her4 ,one only noticed that he was very pale1 with a look as of intoxication on his face4 ,oh6 it's nothing1 mere giddiness1 he replied4 ,it's just as if ,i had drunk too much4 ,all at once things swam before my eyes1 and ,i thought ,i was going to fall4 ,and then ,i only had time to come and fling myself on the bed4 ,then he drew a long breath1 as though talking exhausted him1 and the ,cardinal in his turn gave some details4 ,we had just finished our meal1 said he1 ,i was giving ,don ,vigilio some orders for this afternoon1 and was about to rise when ,i saw ,dario get up and reel4 ,he wouldn't sit down again1 but came in here1 staggering like a somnambulist1 and fumbling at the doors to open them4 ,we followed him without understanding4 ,and ,i confess that ,i don't yet comprehend it4 ,so saying1 the ,cardinal punctuated his surprise by waving his arm towards the rooms1 through which a gust of misfortune seemed to have suddenly swept4 ,all the doors had remained wide open3 the dressing-room could be seen1 and then the passage1 at the end of which appeared the dining-room1 in a disorderly state1 like an apartment suddenly vacated2 the table still laid1 the napkins flung here and there1 and the chairs pushed back4 ,as yet1 however1 there was no alarm4 ,benedetta made the remark which is usually made in such cases3 ,i hope you haven't eaten anything which has disagreed with you4 ,the ,cardinal1 smiling1 again waved his hand as if to attest the frugality of his table4 ,oh6 said he1 there were only some eggs1 some lamb cutlets1 and a dish of sorrel--they couldn't have overloaded his stomach4 ,i myself only drink water2 he takes just a sip of white wine4 ,no1 no1 the food has nothing to do with it4 ,besides1 in that case his ,eminence and ,i would also have felt indisposed1 ,don ,vigilio made bold to remark4 ,dario1 after momentarily closing his eyes1 opened them again1 and once more drew a long breath1 whilst endeavouring to laugh4 ,oh1 it will be nothing2 he said4 ,i feel more at ease already4 ,i must get up and stir myself4 ,in that case1 said ,benedetta1 this is what ,i had thought of4 ,you will take ,monsieur l',abbe ,froment and me for a long drive in the ,campagna4 ,willingly4 ,it's a nice idea4 ,victorine1 help me4 ,whilst speaking he had raised himself by means of one arm2 but1 before the servant could approach1 a slight convulsion seized him1 and he fell back again as if overcome by a fainting fit4 ,it was the ,cardinal1 still standing by the bedside1 who caught him in his arms1 whilst the ,contessina this time lost her head3 _/,dio1 ,dio_/6 ,it has come on him again4 ,quick1 quick1 a doctor6 ,shall ,i run for one8 asked ,pierre1 whom the scene was also beginning to upset4 ,no1 no1 not you2 stay with me4 ,victorine will go at once4 ,she knows the address4 ,doctor ,giordano1 ,victorine4 ,the servant hurried away1 and a heavy silence fell on the room where the anxiety became more pronounced every moment4 ,benedetta1 now quite pale1 had again approached the bed1 whilst the ,cardinal looked down at ,dario1 whom he still held in his arms4 ,and a terrible suspicion1 vague1 indeterminate as yet1 had just awoke in the old man's mind3 ,dario's face seemed to him to be ashen1 to wear that mask of terrified anguish which he had already remarked on the countenance of his dearest friend1 ,monsignor ,gallo1 when he had held him in his arms1 in like manner1 two hours before his death4 ,there was also the same swoon and the same sensation of clasping a cold form whose heart ceases to beat4 ,and above everything else there was in ,boccanera's mind the same growing thought of poison1 poison coming one knew not whence or how1 but mysteriously striking down those around him with the suddenness of lightning4 ,and for a long time he remained with his head bent over the face of his nephew1 that last scion of his race1 seeking1 studying1 and recognising the signs of the mysterious1 implacable disorder which once already had rent his heart atwain4 ,but ,benedetta addressed him in a low1 entreating voice3 ,you will tire yourself1 uncle4 ,let me take him a little1 ,i beg you4 ,have no fear1 ,i'll hold him very gently1 he will feel that it is ,i1 and perhaps that will rouse him4 ,at last the ,cardinal raised his head and looked at her1 and allowed her to take his place after kissing her with distracted passion1 his eyes the while full of tears--a sudden burst of emotion in which his great love for the young woman melted the stern frigidity which he usually affected4 ,ah6 my poor child1 my poor child6 he stammered1 trembling from head to foot like an oak-tree about to fall4 ,immediately afterwards1 however1 he mastered himself1 and whilst ,pierre and ,don ,vigilio1 mute and motionless1 regretted that they could be of no help1 he walked slowly to and fro4 ,soon1 moreover1 that bed-chamber became too small for all the thoughts revolving in his mind1 and he strayed first into the dressing-room and then down the passage as far as the dining-room4 ,and again and again he went to and fro1 grave and impassible1 his head low1 ever lost in the same gloomy reverie4 ,what were the multitudinous thoughts stirring in the brain of that believer1 that haughty ,prince who had given himself to ,god and could do naught to stay inevitable ,destiny8 ,from time to time he returned to the bedside1 observed the progress of the disorder1 and then started off again at the same slow regular pace1 disappearing and reappearing1 carried along as it were by the monotonous alternations of forces which man cannot control4 ,possibly he was mistaken1 possibly this was some mere indisposition at which the doctor would smile4 ,one must hope and wait4 ,and again he went off and again he came back2 and amidst the heavy silence nothing more clearly bespoke the torture of anxious fear than the rhythmical footsteps of that tall old man who was thus awaiting ,destiny4 ,the door opened1 and ,victorine came in breathless4 ,i found the doctor1 here he is1 she gasped4 ,with his little pink face and white curls1 his discreet paternal bearing which gave him the air of an amiable prelate1 ,doctor ,giordano came in smiling2 but on seeing that room and all the anxious people waiting in it1 he turned very grave1 at once assuming the expression of profound respect for all ecclesiastical secrets which he had acquired by long practice among the clergy4 ,and when he had glanced at the sufferer he let but a low murmur escape him3 ,what1 again6 ,is it beginning again6 ,he was probably alluding to the knife thrust for which he had recently tended ,dario4 ,who could be thus relentlessly pursuing that poor and inoffensive young prince8 ,however no one heard the doctor unless it were ,benedetta1 and she was so full of feverish impatience1 so eager to be tranquillised1 that she did not listen but burst into fresh entreaties3 ,oh6 doctor1 pray look at him1 examine him1 tell us that it is nothing4 ,it can't be anything serious1 since he was so well and gay but a little while ago4 ,it's nothing serious1 is it8 ,you are right no doubt1 ,contessina1 it can be nothing dangerous4 ,we will see4 ,however1 on turning round1 ,doctor ,giordano perceived the ,cardinal1 who with regular1 thoughtful footsteps had come back from the dining-room to place himself at the foot of the bed4 ,and while bowing1 the doctor doubtless detected a gleam of mortal anxiety in the dark eyes fixed upon his own1 for he added nothing but began to examine ,dario like a man who realises that time is precious4 ,and as his examination progressed the affable optimism which usually appeared upon his countenance gave place to ashen gravity1 a covert terror which made his lips slightly tremble4 ,it was he who had attended ,monsignor ,gallo when the latter had been carried off so mysteriously2 it was he who for imperative reasons had then delivered a certificate stating the cause of death to be infectious fever2 and doubtless he now found the same terrible symptoms as in that case1 a leaden hue overspreading the sufferer's features1 a stupor as of excessive intoxication2 and1 old ,roman practitioner that he was1 accustomed to sudden deaths1 he realised that the _/malaria_/ which kills was passing1 that _/malaria_/ which science does not yet fully understand1 which may come from the putrescent exhalations of the ,tiber unless it be but a name for the ancient poison of the legends4 ,as the doctor raised his head his glance again encountered the black eyes of the ,cardinal1 which never left him4 ,signor ,giordano1 said his ,eminence1 you are not over-anxious1 ,i hope8 ,it is only some case of indigestion1 is it not8 ,the doctor again bowed4 ,by the slight quiver of the ,cardinal's voice he understood how acute was the anxiety of that powerful man1 who once more was stricken in his dearest affections4 ,your ,eminence must be right1 he said1 there's a bad digestion certainly4 ,such accidents sometimes become dangerous when fever supervenes4 ,i need not tell your ,eminence how thoroughly you may rely on my prudence and zeal4 ,then he broke off and added in a clear professional voice3 ,we must lose no time2 the ,prince must be undressed4 ,i should prefer to remain alone with him for a moment4 ,whilst speaking in this way1 however1 ,doctor ,giordano detained ,victorine1 who would be able to help him1 said he2 should he need any further assistance he would take ,giacomo4 ,his evident desire was to get rid of the members of the family in order that he might have more freedom of action4 ,and the ,cardinal1 who understood him1 gently led ,benedetta into the dining-room1 whither ,pierre and ,don ,vigilio followed4 ,when the doors had been closed1 the most mournful and oppressive silence reigned in that dining-room1 which the bright sun of winter filled with such delightful warmth and radiance4 ,the table was still laid1 its cloth strewn here and there with bread-crumbs2 and a coffee cup had remained half full4 ,in the centre stood the basket of figs1 whose covering of leaves had been removed4 ,however1 only two or three of the figs were missing4 ,and in front of the window was ,tata1 the female parrot1 who had flown out of her cage and perched herself on her stand1 where she remained1 dazzled and enraptured1 amidst the dancing dust of a broad yellow sunray4 ,in her astonishment however1 at seeing so many people enter1 she had ceased to scream and smooth her feathers1 and had turned her head the better to examine the newcomers with her round and scrutinising eye4 ,the minutes went by slowly amidst all the feverish anxiety as to what might be occurring in the neighbouring room4 ,don ,vigilio had taken a corner seat in silence1 whilst ,benedetta and ,pierre1 who had remained standing1 preserved similar muteness1 and immobility4 ,but the ,cardinal had reverted to that instinctive1 lulling tramp by which he apparently hoped to quiet his impatience and arrive the sooner at the explanation for which he was groping through a tumultuous maze of ideas4 ,and whilst his rhythmical footsteps resounded with mechanical regularity1 dark fury was taking possession of his mind1 exasperation at being unable to understand the why and wherefore of that sickness4 ,as he passed the table he had twice glanced at the things lying on it in confusion1 as if seeking some explanation from them4 ,perhaps the harm had been done by that unfinished coffee1 or by that bread whose crumbs lay here and there1 or by those cutlets1 a bone of which remained8 ,then as for the third time he passed by1 again glancing1 his eyes fell upon the basket of figs1 and at once he stopped1 as if beneath the shock of a revelation4 ,an idea seized upon him and mastered him1 without any plan1 however1 occurring to him by which he might change his sudden suspicion into certainty4 ,for a moment he remained puzzled with his eyes fixed upon the basket4 ,then he took a fig and examined it1 but1 noticing nothing strange1 was about to put it back when ,tata1 the parrot1 who was very fond of figs1 raised a strident cry4 ,and this was like a ray of light2 the means of changing suspicion into certainty was found4 ,slowly1 with grave air and gloomy visage1 the ,cardinal carried the fig to the parrot and gave it to her without hesitation or regret4 ,she was a very pretty bird1 the only being of the lower order of creation to which he had ever really been attached4 ,stretching out her supple1 delicate form1 whose silken feathers of dull green here and there assumed a pinky tinge in the sunlight1 she took hold of the fig with her claws1 then ripped it open with her beak4 ,but when she had raked it she ate but little1 and let all the rest fall upon the floor4 ,still grave and impassible1 the ,cardinal looked at her and waited4 ,quite three minutes went by1 and then feeling reassured1 he began to scratch the bird's poll1 whilst she1 taking pleasure in the caress1 turned her neck and fixed her bright ruby eye upon her master4 ,but all at once she sank back without even a flap of the wings1 and fell like a bullet4 ,she was dead1 killed as by a thunderbolt4 ,boccanera made but a gesture1 raising both hands to heaven as if in horror at what he now knew4 ,great ,god6 such a terrible crime1 and such a fearful mistake1 such an abominable trick of ,destiny6 ,no cry of grief came from him1 but the gloom upon his face grew black and fierce4 ,yet there was a cry1 a piercing cry from ,benedetta1 who like ,pierre and ,don ,vigilio had watched the ,cardinal with an astonishment which had changed into terror3 ,poison6 poison6 ,ah6 ,dario1 my heart1 my soul6 ,but the ,cardinal violently caught his niece by the wrist1 whilst darting a suspicious glance at the two petty priests1 the secretary and the foreigner1 who were present3 ,be quiet1 be quiet6 said he4 ,she shook herself free1 rebelling1 frantic with rage and hatred3 ,why should ,i be quiet6 she cried4 ,it is ,prada's work1 ,i shall denounce him1 he shall die as well6 ,i tell you it is ,prada1 ,i know it1 for yesterday ,abbe ,froment came back with him from ,frascati in his carriage with that priest ,santobono and that basket of figs6 ,yes1 yes1 ,i have witnesses1 it is ,prada1 ,prada6 ,no1 no1 you are mad1 be quiet6 said the ,cardinal1 who had again taken hold of the young woman's hands and sought to master her with all his sovereign authority4 ,he1 who knew the influence which ,cardinal ,sanguinetti exercised over ,santobono's excitable mind1 had just understood the whole affair2 no direct complicity but covert propulsion1 the animal excited and then let loose upon the troublesome rival at the moment when the pontifical throne seemed likely to be vacant4 ,the probability1 the certainty of all this flashed upon ,boccanera who1 though some points remained obscure1 did not seek to penetrate them4 ,it was not necessary indeed that he should know every particular3 the thing was as he said1 since it was bound to be so4 ,no1 no1 it was not ,prada1 he exclaimed1 addressing ,benedetta4 ,that man can bear me no personal grudge1 and ,i alone was aimed at1 it was to me that those figs were given4 ,come1 think it out6 ,only an unforeseen indisposition prevented me from eating the greater part of the fruit1 for it is known that ,i am very fond of figs1 and while my poor ,dario was tasting them1 ,i jested and told him to leave the finer ones for me to-morrow4 ,yes1 the abominable blow was meant for me1 and it is on him that it has fallen by the most atrocious of chances1 the most monstrous of the follies of fate4 ,ah6 ,lord ,god1 ,lord ,god1 have you then forsaken us6 ,tears came into the old man's eyes1 whilst she still quivered and seemed unconvinced3 ,but you have no enemies1 uncle1 she said4 ,why should that ,santobono try to take your life8 ,for a moment he found no fitting reply4 ,with supreme grandeur he had already resolved to keep the truth secret4 ,then a recollection came to him1 and he resigned himself to the telling of a lie3 ,santobono's mind has always been somewhat unhinged1 said he1 and ,i know that he has hated me ever since ,i refused to help him to get a brother of his1 one of our former gardeners1 out of prison4 ,deadly spite often has no more serious cause4 ,he must have thought that he had reason to be revenged on me4 ,thereupon ,benedetta1 exhausted1 unable to argue any further1 sank upon a chair with a despairing gesture3 ,ah6 ,god1 ,god6 ,i no longer know--and what matters it now that my ,dario is in such danger8 ,there's only one thing to be done1 he must be saved4 ,how long they are over what they are doing in that room--why does not ,victorine come for us6 ,the silence again fell1 full of terror4 ,without speaking the ,cardinal took the basket of figs from the table and carried it to a cupboard in which he locked it4 ,then he put the key in his pocket4 ,no doubt1 when night had fallen1 he himself would throw the proofs of the crime into the ,tiber4 ,however1 on coming back from the cupboard he noticed the two priests1 who naturally had watched him2 and with mingled grandeur and simplicity he said to them3 ,gentlemen1 ,i need not ask you to be discreet4 ,there are scandals which we must spare the ,church1 which is not1 cannot be guilty4 ,to deliver one of ourselves1 even when he is a criminal1 to the civil tribunals1 often means a blow for the whole ,church1 for men of evil mind may lay hold of the affair and seek to impute the responsibility of the crime even to the ,church itself4 ,we therefore have but to commit the murderer to the hands of ,god1 who will know more surely how to punish him4 ,ah6 for my part1 whether ,i be struck in my own person or whether the blow be directed against my family1 my dearest affections1 ,i declare in the name of the ,christ who died upon the cross1 that ,i feel neither anger1 nor desire for vengeance1 that ,i efface the murderer's name from my memory and bury his abominable act in the eternal silence of the grave4 ,tall as he was1 he seemed of yet loftier stature whilst with hand upraised he took that oath to leave his enemies to the justice of ,god alone2 for he did not refer merely to ,santobono1 but to ,cardinal ,sanguinetti1 whose evil influence he had divined4 ,and amidst all the heroism of his pride1 he was rent by tragic dolour at thought of the dark battle which was waged around the tiara1 all the evil hatred and voracious appetite which stirred in the depths of the gloom4 ,then1 as ,pierre and ,don ,vigilio bowed to him as a sign that they would preserve silence1 he almost choked with invincible emotion1 a sob of loving grief which he strove to keep down rising to his throat1 whilst he stammered3 ,ah6 my poor child1 my poor child1 the only scion of our race1 the only love and hope of my heart6 ,ah6 to die1 to die like this6 ,but ,benedetta1 again all violence1 sprang up3 ,die6 ,who1 ,dario8 ,i won't have it6 ,we'll nurse him1 we'll go back to him4 ,we will take him in our arms and save him4 ,come1 uncle1 come at once6 ,i won't1 ,i won't1 ,i won't have him die6 ,she was going towards the door1 and nothing would have prevented her from re-entering the bed-room1 when1 as it happened1 ,victorine appeared with a wild look on her face1 for1 despite her wonted serenity1 all her courage was now exhausted4 ,the doctor begs madame and his ,eminence to come at once1 at once1 said she4 ,stupefied by all these things1 ,pierre did not follow the others1 but lingered for a moment in the sunlit dining-room with ,don ,vigilio4 ,what6 poison8 ,poison as in the time of the ,borgias1 elegantly hidden away1 served up with luscious fruit by a crafty traitor1 whom one dared not even denounce6 ,and he recalled the conversation on his way back from ,frascati1 and his ,parisian scepticism with respect to those legendary drugs1 which to his mind had no place save in the fifth acts of melodramas4 ,yet those abominable stories were true1 those tales of poisoned knives and flowers1 of prelates and even dilatory popes being suppressed by a drop or a grain of something administered to them in their morning chocolate4 ,that passionate tragical ,santobono was really a poisoner1 ,pierre could no longer doubt it1 for a lurid light now illumined the whole of the previous day3 there were the words of ambition and menace which had been spoken by ,cardinal ,sanguinetti1 the eagerness to act in presence of the probable death of the reigning pope1 the suggestion of a crime for the sake of the ,church's salvation1 then that priest with his little basket of figs encountered on the road1 then that basket carried for hours so carefully1 so devoutly1 on the priest's knees1 that basket which now haunted ,pierre like a nightmare1 and whose colour1 and odour1 and shape he would ever recall with a shudder4 ,aye1 poison1 poison1 there was truth in it2 it existed and still circulated in the depths of the black world1 amidst all the ravenous1 rival longings for conquest and sovereignty4 ,and all at once the figure of ,prada likewise arose in ,pierre's mind4 ,a little while previously1 when ,benedetta had so violently accused the ,count1 he1 ,pierre1 had stepped forward to defend him and cry aloud what he knew1 whence the poison had come1 and what hand had offered it4 ,but a sudden thought had made him shiver3 though ,prada had not devised the crime1 he had allowed it to be perpetrated4 ,another memory darted keen like steel through the young priest's mind--that of the little black hen lying lifeless beside the shed1 amidst the dismal surroundings of the _/osteria_/1 with a tiny streamlet of violet blood trickling from her beak4 ,and here again1 ,tata1 the parrot1 lay still soft and warm at the foot of her stand1 with her beak stained by oozing blood4 ,why had ,prada told that lie about a battle between two fowls8 ,all the dim intricacy of passion and contention bewildered ,pierre1 he could not thread his way through it2 nor was he better able to follow the frightful combat which must have been waged in that man's mind during the night of the ball4 ,at the same time he could not again picture him by his side during their nocturnal walk towards the ,boccanera mansion without shuddering1 dimly divining what a frightful decision had been taken before that mansion's door4 ,moreover1 whatever the obscurities1 whether ,prada had expected that the ,cardinal alone would be killed1 or had hoped that some chance stroke of fate might avenge him on others1 the terrible fact remained--he had known1 he had been able to stay ,destiny on the march1 but had allowed it to go onward and blindly accomplish its work of death4 ,turning his head ,pierre perceived ,don ,vigilio still seated on the corner chair whence he had not stirred1 and looking so pale and haggard that perhaps he also had swallowed some of the poison4 ,do you feel unwell8 the young priest asked4 ,at first the secretary could not reply1 for terror had gripped him at the throat4 ,then in a low voice he said3 ,no1 no1 ,i didn't eat any4 ,ah1 ,heaven1 when ,i think that ,i so much wanted to taste them1 and that merely deference kept me back on seeing that his ,eminence did not take any6 ,don ,vigilio's whole body shivered at the thought that his humility alone had saved him2 and on his face and his hands there remained the icy chill of death which had fallen so near and grazed him as it passed4 ,then twice he heaved a sigh1 and with a gesture of affright sought to brush the horrid thing away while murmuring3 ,ah6 ,paparelli1 ,paparelli6 ,pierre1 deeply stirred1 and knowing what he thought of the train-bearer1 tried to extract some information from him3 ,what do you mean8 he asked4 ,do you accuse him too8 ,do you think they urged him on1 and that it was they at bottom8 ,the word ,jesuits was not even spoken1 but a big black shadow passed athwart the gay sunlight of the dining-room1 and for a moment seemed to fill it with darkness4 ,they6 ah yes6 exclaimed ,don ,vigilio1 they are everywhere2 it is always they6 ,as soon as one weeps1 as soon as one dies1 they are mixed up in it4 ,and this is intended for me too2 ,i am quite surprised that ,i haven't been carried off4 ,then again he raised a dull moan of fear1 hatred1 and anger3 ,ah6 ,paparelli1 ,paparelli6 ,and he refused to reply any further1 but darted scared glances at the walls as if from one or another of them he expected to see the train-bearer emerge1 with his wrinkled flabby face like that of an old maid1 his furtive mouse-like trot1 and his mysterious1 invading hands which had gone expressly to bring the forgotten figs from the pantry and deposit them on the table4 ,at last the two priests decided to return to the bedroom1 where perhaps they might be required2 and ,pierre on entering was overcome by the heart-rending scene which the chamber now presented4 ,doctor ,giordano1 suspecting poison1 had for half an hour been trying the usual remedies1 an emetic and then magnesia4 ,just then1 too1 he had made ,victorine whip some whites of eggs in water4 ,but the disorder was progressing with such lightning-like rapidity that all succour was becoming futile4 ,undressed and lying on his back1 his bust propped up by pillows and his arms lying outstretched over the sheets1 ,dario looked quite frightful in the sort of painful intoxication which characterised that redoubtable and mysterious disorder to which already ,monsignor ,gallo and others had succumbed4 ,the young man seemed to be stricken with a sort of dizzy stupor1 his eyes receded farther and farther into the depth of their dark sockets1 whilst his whole face became withered1 aged as it were1 and covered with an earthy pallor4 ,a moment previously he had closed his eyes1 and the only sign that he still lived was the heaving of his chest induced by painful respiration4 ,and leaning over his poor dying face stood ,benedetta1 sharing his sufferings1 and mastered by such impotent grief that she also was unrecognisable1 so white1 so distracted by anguish1 that it seemed as if death were gradually taking her at the same time as it was taking him4 ,in the recess by the window whither ,cardinal ,boccanera had led ,doctor ,giordano1 a few words were exchanged in low tones4 ,he is lost1 is he not8 ,the doctor made the despairing gesture of one who is vanquished3 ,alas6 yes4 ,i must warn your ,eminence that in an hour all will be over4 ,a short interval of silence followed4 ,and the same malady as ,gallo1 is it not8 asked the ,cardinal2 and as the doctor trembling and averting his eyes did not answer he added3 ,at all events of an infectious fever6 ,giordano well understood what the ,cardinal thus asked of him3 silence1 the crime for ever hidden away for the sake of the good renown of his mother1 the ,church4 ,and there could be no loftier1 no more tragical grandeur than that of this old man of seventy1 still so erect and sovereign1 who would neither suffer a slur to be cast upon his spiritual family1 nor consent to his human family being dragged into the inevitable mire of a sensational murder trial4 ,no1 no1 there must be none of that1 there must be silence1 the eternal silence in which all becomes forgotten4 ,at last the doctor bowed with his gentle air of discretion4 ,evidently1 of an infectious fever as your ,eminence so well says1 he replied4 ,two big tears then again appeared in ,boccanera's eyes4 ,now that he had screened the ,deity from attack in the person of the ,church1 his heart as a man again bled4 ,he begged the doctor to make a supreme effort1 to attempt the impossible2 but1 pointing to the dying man with trembling hands1 ,giordano shook his head4 ,for his own father1 his own mother he could have done nothing4 ,death was there4 ,so why weary1 why torture a dying man1 whose sufferings he would only have increased8 ,and then1 as the ,cardinal1 finding the end so near at hand1 thought of his sister ,serafina1 and lamented that she would not be able to kiss her nephew for the last time if she lingered at the ,vatican1 the doctor offered to fetch her in his carriage which was waiting below4 ,it would not take him more than twenty minutes1 said he1 and he would be back in time for the end1 should he then be needed4 ,left to himself in the window recess the ,cardinal remained there motionless for another moment4 ,with eyes blurred by tears1 he gazed towards heaven4 ,and his quivering arms were suddenly raised in a gesture of ardent entreaty4 ,o ,god1 since the science of man was so limited and vain1 since that doctor had gone off happy to escape the embarrassment of his impotence1 ,o ,god1 why not a miracle which should proclaim the splendour of ,thy ,almighty ,power6 ,a miracle1 a miracle6 that was what the ,cardinal asked from the depths of his believing soul1 with the insistence1 the imperious entreaty of a ,prince of the ,earth1 who deemed that he had rendered considerable services to ,heaven by dedicating his whole life to the ,church4 ,and he asked for that miracle in order that his race might be perpetuated1 in order that its last male scion might not thus miserably perish1 but be able to marry that fondly loved cousin1 who now stood there all woe and tears4 ,a miracle1 a miracle for the sake of those two dear children6 ,a miracle which would endow the family with fresh life3 a miracle which would eternise the glorious name of ,boccanera by enabling an innumerable posterity of valiant ones and faithful ones to spring from that young couple6 ,when the ,cardinal returned to the centre of the room he seemed transfigured4 ,faith had dried his eyes1 his soul had become strong and submissive1 exempt from all human weakness4 ,he had placed himself in the hands of ,god1 and had resolved that he himself would administer extreme unction to ,dario4 ,with a gesture he summoned ,don ,vigilio and led him into the little room which served as a chapel1 and the key of which he always carried4 ,a cupboard had been contrived behind the altar of painted wood1 and the ,cardinal went to it to take both stole and surplice4 ,the coffer containing the ,holy ,oils was likewise there1 a very ancient silver coffer bearing the ,boccanera arms4 ,and on ,don ,vigilio following the ,cardinal back into the bed-room they in turn pronounced the ,latin words3 _/,pax huic domui_/4 _/,et omnibus habitantibus in ea_/499 99 ,peace unto this house and unto all who dwell in it4--,trans4 ,death was coming so fast and threatening1 that all the usual preparations were perforce dispensed with4 ,neither the two lighted tapers1 nor the little table covered with white cloth had been provided4 ,and1 in the same way1 ,don ,vigilio the assistant1 having failed to bring the ,holy ,water basin and sprinkler1 the ,cardinal1 as officiating priest1 could merely make the gesture of blessing the room and the dying man1 whilst pronouncing the words of the ritual3 _/,asperges me1 ,domine1 hyssopo1 et mundabor2 lavabis me1 et super nivem dealbabor499 99 ,sprinkle me1 ,lord1 with hyssop1 and purify me2 wash me1 and make me whiter than snow4--,trans4 ,benedetta on seeing the ,cardinal appear carrying the ,holy ,oils1 had with a long quiver fallen on her knees at the foot of the bed1 whilst1 somewhat farther away1 ,pierre and ,victorine likewise knelt1 overcome by the dolorous grandeur of the scene4 ,and the dilated eyes of the ,contessina1 whose face was pale as snow1 never quitted her ,dario1 whom she no longer recognised1 so earthy was his face1 its skin tanned and wrinkled like that of an old man4 ,and it was not for their marriage which he so much desired that their uncle1 the all-powerful ,prince of the ,church1 was bringing the ,sacrament1 but for the supreme rupture1 the end of all pride1 ,death which finishes off the haughtiest races1 and sweeps them away1 even as the wind sweeps the dust of the roads4 ,it was needful that there should be no delay1 so the ,cardinal promptly repeated the ,credo in an undertone1 _/,credo in unum ,deum--_/ _/,amen_/1 responded ,don ,vigilio1 who1 after the prayers of the ritual1 stammered the ,litanies in order that ,heaven might take pity on the wretched man who was about to appear before ,god1 if ,god by a prodigy did not spare him4 ,then1 without taking time to wash his fingers1 the ,cardinal opened the case containing the ,holy ,oils1 and limiting himself to one anointment1 as is permissible in pressing cases1 he deposited a single drop of the oil on ,dario's parched mouth which was already withered by death4 ,and in doing so he repeated the words of the formula1 his heart all aglow with faith as he asked that the divine mercy might efface each and every sin that the young man had committed by either of his five senses1 those five portals by which everlasting temptation assails the soul4 ,and the ,cardinal's fervour was also instinct with the hope that if ,god had smitten the poor sufferer for his offences1 perhaps ,he would make ,his indulgence entire and even restore him to life as soon as ,he should have forgiven his sins4 ,life1 ,o ,lord1 life in order that the ancient line of the ,boccaneras might yet multiply and continue to serve ,thee in battle and at the altar until the end of time6 ,for a moment the ,cardinal remained with quivering hands1 gazing at the mute face1 the closed eyes of the dying man1 and waiting for the miracle4 ,but no sign appeared1 not the faintest glimmer brightened that haggard countenance1 nor did a sigh of relief come from the withered lips as ,don ,vigilio wiped them with a little cotton wool4 ,and the last prayer was said1 and whilst the frightful silence fell once more the ,cardinal1 followed by his assistant1 returned to the chapel4 ,there they both knelt1 the ,cardinal plunging into ardent prayer upon the bare tiles4 ,with his eyes raised to the brass crucifix upon the altar he saw nothing1 heard nothing1 but gave himself wholly to his entreaties1 supplicating ,god to take him in place of his nephew1 if a sacrifice were necessary1 and yet clinging to the hope that so long as ,dario retained a breath of life and he himself thus remained on his knees addressing the ,deity1 he might succeed in pacifying the wrath of ,heaven4 ,he was both so humble and so great4 ,would not accord surely be established between ,god and a ,boccanera8 ,the old palace might have fallen to the ground1 he himself would not even have felt the toppling of its beams4 ,in the bed-room1 however1 nothing had yet stirred beneath the weight of tragic majesty which the ceremony had left there4 ,it was only now that ,dario raised his eyelids1 and when on looking at his hands he saw them so aged and wasted the depths of his eyes kindled with an expression of immense regretfulness that life should be departing4 ,doubtless it was at this moment of lucidity amidst the kind of intoxication with which the poison overwhelmed him1 that he for the first time realised his perilous condition4 ,ah6 to die1 amidst such pain1 such physical degradation1 what a revolting horror for that frivolous and egotistical man1 that lover of beauty1 joy1 and light1 who knew not how to suffer6 ,in him ferocious fate chastised racial degeneracy with too heavy a hand4 ,he became horrified with himself1 seized with childish despair and terror1 which lent him strength enough to sit up and gaze wildly about the room1 in order to see if every one had not abandoned him4 ,and when his eyes lighted on ,benedetta still kneeling at the foot of the bed1 a supreme impulse carried him towards her1 he stretched forth both arms as passionately as his strength allowed and stammered her name3 ,o ,benedetta1 ,benedetta6 ,she1 motionless in the stupor of her anxiety1 had not taken her eyes from his face4 ,the horrible disorder which was carrying off her lover1 seemed also to possess and annihilate her more and more1 even as he himself grew weaker and weaker4 ,her features were assuming an immaterial whiteness2 and through the void of her clear eyeballs one began to espy her soul4 ,however1 when she perceived him thus resuscitating and calling her with arms outstretched1 she in her turn arose and standing beside the bed made answer3 ,i am coming1 my ,dario1 here ,i am4 ,and then ,pierre and ,victorine1 still on their knees1 beheld a sublime deed of such extraordinary grandeur that they remained rooted to the floor1 spell-bound as in the presence of some supra-terrestrial spectacle in which human beings may not intervene4 ,benedetta herself spoke and acted like one freed from all social and conventional ties1 already beyond life1 only seeing and addressing beings and things from a great distance1 from the depths of the unknown in which she was about to disappear4 ,ah6 my ,dario1 so an attempt has been made to part us6 ,it was in order that ,i might never belong to you--that we might never be happy1 that your death was resolved upon1 and it was known that with your life my own must cease6 ,and it is that man who is killing you6 ,yes1 he is your murderer1 even if the actual blow has been dealt by another4 ,he is the first cause--he who stole me from you when ,i was about to become yours1 he who ravaged our lives1 and who breathed around us the hateful poison which is killing us4 ,ah6 how ,i hate him1 how ,i hate him2 how ,i should like to crush him with my hate before ,i die with you6 ,she did not raise her voice1 but spoke those terrible words in a deep murmur1 simply and passionately4 ,prada was not even named1 and she scarcely turned towards ,pierre--who knelt1 paralysed1 behind her--to add with a commanding air3 ,you will see his father1 ,i charge you to tell him that ,i cursed his son6 ,that kind-hearted hero loved me well--,i love him even now1 and the words you will carry to him from me will rend his heart4 ,but ,i desire that he should know--he must know1 for the sake of truth and justice4 ,distracted by terror1 sobbing amidst a last convulsion1 ,dario again stretched forth his arms1 feeling that she was no longer looking at him1 that her clear eyes were no longer fixed upon his own3 ,benedetta1 ,benedetta6 ,i am coming1 ,i am coming1 my ,dario--,i am here6 she responded1 drawing yet nearer to the bedside and almost touching him4 ,ah6 she went on1 that vow which ,i made to the ,madonna to belong to none1 not even you1 until ,god should allow it by the blessing of one of his priests6 ,ah6 ,i set a noble1 a divine pride in remaining immaculate for him who should be the one master of my soul and body4 ,and that chastity which ,i was so proud of1 ,i defended it against the other as one defends oneself against a wolf1 and ,i defended it against you with tears for fear of sacrilege4 ,and if you only knew what terrible struggles ,i was forced to wage with myself1 for ,i loved you and longed to be yours1 like a woman who accepts the whole of love1 the love that makes wife and mother6 ,ah6 my vow to the ,madonna--with what difficulty did ,i keep it when the old blood of our race arose in me like a tempest2 and now what a disaster6 ,she drew yet nearer1 and her low voice became more ardent3 ,you remember that evening when you came back with a knife-thrust in your shoulder4 ,i thought you dead1 and cried aloud with rage at the idea of losing you like that4 ,i insulted the ,madonna and regretted that ,i had not damned myself with you that we might die together1 so tightly clasped that we must needs be buried together also4 ,and to think that such a terrible warning was of no avail6 ,i was blind and foolish2 and now you are again stricken1 again being taken from my love4 ,ah6 my wretched pride1 my idiotic dream6 ,that which now rang out in her stifled voice was the anger of the practical woman that she had ever been1 all superstition notwithstanding4 ,could the ,madonna1 who was so maternal1 desire the woe of lovers8 ,no1 assuredly not4 ,nor did the angels make the mere absence of a priest a cause for weeping over the transports of true and mutual love4 ,was not such love holy in itself1 and did not the angels rather smile upon it and burst into gladsome song6 ,and ah6 how one cheated oneself by not loving to heart's content under the sun1 when the blood of life coursed through one's veins6 ,benedetta6 ,benedetta6 repeated the dying man1 full of child-like terror at thus going off all alone into the depths of the black and everlasting night4 ,here ,i am1 my ,dario1 ,i am coming6 ,then1 as she fancied that the servant1 albeit motionless1 had stirred1 as if to rise and interfere1 she added3 ,leave me1 leave me1 ,victorine1 nothing in the world can henceforth prevent it4 ,a moment ago1 when ,i was on my knees1 something roused me and urged me on4 ,i know whither ,i am going4 ,and besides1 did ,i not swear on the night of the knife thrust8 ,did ,i not promise to belong to him alone1 even in the earth if it were necessary8 ,i must embrace him1 and he will carry me away6 ,we shall be dead1 and we shall be wedded in spite of all1 and for ever and for ever6 ,she stepped back to the dying man1 and touched him3 ,here ,i am1 my ,dario1 here ,i am6 ,then came the apogee4 ,amidst growing exaltation1 buoyed up by a blaze of love1 careless of glances1 candid like a lily1 she divested herself of her garments and stood forth so white1 that neither marble statue1 nor dove1 nor snow itself was ever whiter4 ,here ,i am1 my ,dario1 here ,i am6 ,recoiling almost to the ground as at sight of an apparition1 the glorious flash of a holy vision1 ,pierre and ,victorine gazed at her with dazzled eyes4 ,the servant had not stirred to prevent this extraordinary action1 seized as she was with that shrinking reverential terror which comes upon one in presence of the wild1 mad deeds of faith and passion4 ,and the priest1 whose limbs were paralysed1 felt that something so sublime was passing that he could only quiver in distraction4 ,and no thought of impurity came to him on beholding that lily1 snowy whiteness4 ,all candour and all nobility as she was1 that virgin shocked him no more than some sculptured masterpiece of genius4 ,here ,i am1 my ,dario1 here ,i am4 ,she had lain herself down beside the spouse whom she had chosen1 she had clasped the dying man whose arms only had enough strength left to fold themselves around her4 ,death was stealing him from her1 but she would go with him2 and again she murmured3 ,my ,dario1 here ,i am4 ,and at that moment1 against the wall at the head of the bed1 ,pierre perceived the escutcheon of the ,boccaneras1 embroidered in gold and coloured silks on a groundwork of violet velvet4 ,there was the winged dragon belching flames1 there was the fierce and glowing motto _/,bocca nera1 ,alma rossa_/ 7black mouth1 red soul71 the mouth darkened by a roar1 the soul flaming like a brazier of faith and love4 ,and behold6 all that old race of passion and violence with its tragic legends had reappeared1 its blood bubbling up afresh to urge that last and adorable daughter of the line to those terrifying and prodigious nuptials in death4 ,and to ,pierre that escutcheon recalled another memory1 that of the portrait of ,cassia ,boccanera the _/amorosa_/ and avengeress who had flung herself into the ,tiber with her brother ,ercole and the corpse of her lover ,flavio4 ,was there not here even with ,benedetta the same despairing clasp seeking to vanquish death1 the same savagery in hurling oneself into the abyss with the corpse of the one's only love8 ,benedetta and ,cassia were as sisters1 ,cassia1 who lived anew in the old painting in the _/salon_/ overhead1 ,benedetta who was here dying of her lover's death1 as though she were but the other's spirit4 ,both had the same delicate childish features1 the same mouth of passion1 the same large dreamy eyes set in the same round1 practical1 and stubborn head4 ,my ,dario1 here ,i am6 ,for a second1 which seemed an eternity1 they clasped one another1 she neither repelled nor terrified by the disorder which made him so unrecognisable1 but displaying a delirious passion1 a holy frenzy as if to pass beyond life1 to penetrate with him into the black ,unknown4 ,and beneath the shock of the felicity at last offered to him he expired1 with his arms yet convulsively wound around her as though indeed to carry her off4 ,then1 whether from grief or from bliss amidst that embrace of death1 there came such a rush of blood to her heart that the organ burst3 she died on her lover's neck1 both tightly and for ever clasped in one another's arms4 ,there was a faint sigh4 ,victorine understood and drew near1 while ,pierre1 also erect1 remained quivering with the tearful admiration of one who has beheld the sublime4 ,look1 look6 whispered the servant1 she no longer moves1 she no longer breathes4 ,ah6 my poor child1 my poor child1 she is dead6 ,then the priest murmured3 ,oh6 ,god1 how beautiful they are4 ,it was true1 never had loftier and more resplendent beauty appeared on the faces of the dead4 ,dario's countenance1 so lately aged and earthen1 had assumed the pallor and nobility of marble1 its features lengthened and simplified as by a transport of ineffable joy4 ,benedetta remained very grave1 her lips curved by ardent determination1 whilst her whole face was expressive of dolorous yet infinite beatitude in a setting of infinite whiteness4 ,their hair mingled1 and their eyes1 which had remained open1 continued gazing as into one another's souls with eternal1 caressing sweetness4 ,they were for ever linked1 soaring into immortality amidst the enchantment of their union1 vanquishers of death1 radiant with the rapturous beauty of love1 the conqueror1 the immortal4 ,but ,victorine's sobs at last burst forth1 mingled with such lamentations that great confusion followed4 ,pierre1 now quite beside himself1 in some measure failed to understand how it was that the room suddenly became invaded by terrified people4 ,the ,cardinal and ,don ,vigilio1 however1 must have hastened in from the chapel2 and at the same moment1 no doubt1 ,doctor ,giordano must have returned with ,donna ,serafina1 for both were now there1 she stupefied by the blows which had thus fallen on the house in her absence1 whilst he1 the doctor1 displayed the perturbation and astonishment which comes upon the oldest practitioners when facts seem to give the lie to their experience4 ,however1 he sought an explanation of ,benedetta's death1 and hesitatingly ascribed it to aneurism1 or possibly embolism4 ,thereupon ,victorine1 like a servant whose grief makes her the equal of her employers1 boldly interrupted him3 ,ah6 ,sir1 said she1 they loved each other too fondly2 did not that suffice for them to die together8 ,meantime ,donna ,serafina1 after kissing the poor children on the brow1 desired to close their eyes2 but she could not succeed in doing so1 for the lids lifted directly she removed her finger and once more the eyes began to smile at one another1 to exchange in all fixity their loving and eternal glance4 ,and then as she spoke of parting the bodies1 ,victorine again protested3 ,oh6 madame1 oh6 madame1 she said1 you would have to break their arms4 ,cannot you see that their fingers are almost dug into one another's shoulders8 ,no1 they can never be parted6 ,thereupon ,cardinal ,boccanera intervened4 ,god had not granted the miracle2 and he1 ,his minister1 was livid1 tearless1 and full of icy despair4 ,but he waved his arm with a sovereign gesture of absolution and sanctification1 as if1 ,prince of the ,church that he was1 disposing of the will of ,heaven1 he consented that the lovers should appear in that embrace before the supreme tribunal4 ,in presence of such wondrous love1 indeed1 profoundly stirred by the sufferings of their lives and the beauty of their death1 he showed a broad and lofty contempt for mundane proprieties4 ,leave them1 leave me1 my sister1 said he1 do not disturb their slumber4 ,let their eyes remain open since they desire to gaze on one another till the end of time without ever wearying4 ,and let them sleep in one another's arms since in their lives they did not sin1 and only locked themselves in that embrace in order that they might be laid together in the ground4 ,and then1 again becoming a ,roman ,prince whose proud blood was yet hot with old-time deeds of battle and passion1 he added3 ,two ,boccaneras may well sleep like that2 all ,rome will admire them and weep for them4 ,leave them1 leave them together1 my sister4 ,god knows them and awaits them6 ,all knelt1 and the ,cardinal himself repeated the prayers for the dead4 ,night was coming1 increasing gloom stole into the chamber1 where two burning tapers soon shone out like stars4 ,and then1 without knowing how1 ,pierre again found himself in the little deserted garden on the bank of the ,tiber4 ,suffocating with fatigue and grief1 he must have come thither for fresh air4 ,darkness shrouded the charming nook where the streamlet of water falling from the tragic mask into the ancient sarcophagus ever sang its shrill and flute-like song2 and the laurel-bush which shaded it1 and the bitter box-plants and the orange-trees skirting the paths now formed but vague masses under the blue-black sky4 ,ah6 how gay and sweet had that melancholy garden been in the morning1 and what a desolate echo it retained of ,benedetta's winsome laughter1 all that fine delight in coming happiness which now lay prone upstairs1 steeped in the nothingness of things and beings6 ,so dolorous was the pang which came to ,pierre's heart that he burst into sobs1 seated on the same broken column where she had sat1 and encompassed by the same atmosphere that she had breathed1 in which still lingered the perfume of her presence4 ,but all at once a distant clock struck six1 and the young priest started on remembering that he was to be received by the ,pope that very evening at nine4 ,yet three more hours6 ,he had not thought of that interview during the terrifying catastrophe1 and it seemed to him now as if months and months had gone by1 as if the appointment were some very old one which a man is only able to keep after years of absence1 when he has grown aged and had his heart and brain modified by innumerable experiences4 ,however1 he made an effort and rose to his feet4 ,in three hours' time he would go to the ,vatican and at last he would see the ,pope4