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The father bowed in assent. The count proceeded. "You understand

me; they are all people who have blood in their veins, and who in

the world-count as something. They are proud of their honour; the

affair will become theirs, and then-- Even those who are the

friends of peace-- It would be a grief of heart to me to be

obliged-- I, who have always had such a friendship for the

capuchins! The fathers, for their ministry to be efficient,

should be in harmony with all men-no misunderstandings: besides,

they have relations abroad-and these affairs of punctilio extend,

ramify-- I, too, have a certain dignity to maintain-- His

excellency--my noble colleagues-- It becomes a party matter--"

"It is true," said the provincial, "that Father Christopher is a

preacher; I had already the intention-I have even been solicited

to do it-but under these circumstances, and just at this time, it

might be considered as a punishment; and to punish without being

well acquainted--"