Produced by Dagny [dagnypg@yahoo.com]
and David Widger [widger@cecomet.net]
On the following day as Pierre, after a long ramble, once more foundhimself in front of the Vatican, whither a harassing attraction ever ledhim, he again encountered Monsignor Nani. It was a Wednesday evening, andthe Assessor of the Holy Office had just come from his weekly audiencewith the Pope, whom he had acquainted with the proceedings of theCongregation at its meeting that morning. "What a fortunate chance, mydear sir," said he; "I was thinking of you. Would you like to see hisHoliness in public while you are waiting for a private audience?"
Nani had put on his pleasant expression of smiling civility, beneathwhich one would barely detect the faint irony of a superior man who kneweverything, prepared everything, and could do everything.
"Why, yes, Monsignor," Pierre replied, somewhat astonished by theabruptness of the offer. "Anything of a nature to divert one's mind iswelcome when one loses one's time in waiting."
"No, no, you are not losing your time," replied the prelate. "You arelooking round you, reflecting, and enlightening yourself. Well, this isthe point. You are doubtless aware that the great internationalpilgrimage of the Peter's Pence Fund will arrive in Rome on Friday, andbe received on Saturday by his Holiness. On Sunday, moreover, the HolyFather will celebrate mass at the Basilica. Well, I have a few cardsleft, and here are some very good places for both ceremonies." So sayinghe produced an elegant little pocketbook bearing a gilt monogram andhanded Pierre two cards, one green and the other pink. "If you only knewhow people fight for them," he resumed. "You remember that I told you oftwo French ladies who are consumed by a desire to see his Holiness. Well,I did not like to support their request for an audience in too pressing away, and they have had to content themselves with cards like these. Thefact is, the Holy Father is somewhat fatigued at the present time. Ifound him looking yellow and feverish just now. But he has so muchcourage; he nowadays only lives by force of soul." Then Nani's smile cameback with its almost imperceptible touch of derision as he resumed:"Impatient ones ought to find a great example in him, my dear son. Iheard that Monsignor Gamba del Zoppo had been unable to help you. But youmust not be too much distressed on that account. This long delay isassuredly a grace of Providence in order that you may instruct yourselfand come to understand certain things which you French priests do not,unfortunately, realise when you arrive in Rome. And perhaps it willprevent you from making certain mistakes. Come, calm yourself, andremember that the course of events is in the hands of God, who, in Hissovereign wisdom, fixes the hour for all things."
Thereupon Nani offered Pierre his plump, supple, shapely hand, a handsoft like a woman's but with the grasp of a vice. And afterwards heclimbed into his carriage, which was waiting for him.
It so happened that the letter which Pierre had received from ViscountPhilibert de la Choue was a long cry of spite and despair in connectionwith the great internatio