第648页 / 共1118页

"But--," insisted the chaplain, "we never dare speak of certain

things, because my lord says they are idle tales. However, in

this case it appears to be a duty--. Zeal makes enemies, my lord,

and we know that more than one ruffian has boasted that sooner or

later--"

"And what have they done?"

"This man is an enterprising, desperate villain, who is in strict

correspondence with other villains, as desperate as himself, and

who, perhaps, have sent him--"

"Oh! what discipline is this!" said the cardinal, smiling; "the

soldiers exhort the general to cowardice!" Then, with a grave and

pensive air, he resumed, "Saint Carlo would not have deliberated

a moment, whether he should receive such a man; he would have

gone to seek him. Let him enter immediately; he has already

waited too long."

The chaplain moved towards the door, saying in his heart, "There

is no remedy; these saints are always obstinate."