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"And now, if that same priest were to tell you, he would say you

must call him Your Eminence; the pope has ordered, that this

title be given to the cardinals. And do you know why? Because

Most Illustrious was assumed by so many people who had no right

to it. By and by, they will call the bishops Your Eminence, then

the abbots will claim it, then the canons--"

"And the curates," said the widow.

"No, no, let the curates alone for that; they will be only _Your

Reverence_ to the end of the world. But to return to our affairs.

On Sunday, I will publish the banns at the church, and obtain, in

the mean time, a dispensation for omitting the two other

publications. There will be plenty of similar applications, if

things go on elsewhere as they do here; the fire has taken; no

one will wish to live alone, I imagine; I have already three

marriages on hand besides yours; what a pity Perpetua is dead,

she might find a husband! And at Milan, signora, I imagine it is

the same thing."