Produced by Dagny [dagnypg@yahoo.com]
and David Widger [widger@cecomet.net]
IN his anxiety to bring things to a finish, Pierre wished to begin hiscampaign on the very next day. But on whom should he first call if hewere to steer clear of blunders in that intricate and conceitedecclesiastical world? The question greatly perplexed him; however, onopening his door that morning he luckily perceived Don Vigilio in thepassage, and with a sudden inspiration asked him to step inside. Herealised that this thin little man with the saffron face, who alwaystrembled with fever and displayed such exaggerated, timorous discretion,was in reality well informed, mixed up in everything. At one period ithad seemed to Pierre that the secretary purposely avoided him, doubtlessfor fear of compromising himself; but recently Don Vigilio had provedless unsociable, as though he were not far from sharing the impatiencewhich must be consuming the young Frenchman amidst his long enforcedinactivity. And so, on this occasion, he did not seek to avoid the chaton which Pierre was bent.
"I must apologise," said the latter, "for asking you in here when thingsare in such disorder. But I have just received some more linen and somewinter clothing from Paris. I came, you know, with just a little valise,meaning to stay for a fortnight, and yet I've now been here for nearlythree months, and am no more advanced than I was on the morning of myarrival."
Don Vigilio nodded. "Yes, yes, I know," said he.
Thereupon Pierre explained to him that Monsignor Nani had informed him,through the Contessina, that he now ought to act and see everybody forthe defence of his book. But he was much embarrassed, as he did not knowin what order to make his visits so that they might benefit him. Forinstance, ought he to call in the first place on Monsignor Fornaro, the/consultore/ selected to report on his book, and whose name had beengiven him?
"Ah!" exclaimed Don Vigilio, quivering; "has Monsignor Nani gone as faras that—given you the reporter's name? That's even more than Iexpected." Then, forgetting his prudence, yielding to his secret interestin the affair, he resumed: "No, no; don't begin with Monsignor Fornaro.Your first visit should be a very humble one to the Prefect of theCongregation of the Index—his Eminence Cardinal Sanguinetti; for hewould never forgive you for having offered your first homage to anothershould he some day hear of it." And, after a pause, Don Vigilio added, ina low voice, amidst a faint, feverish shiver: "And he /would/ hear of it;everything becomes known."
Again he hesitated, and then, as if yielding to sudden, sympatheticcourage, he took hold of the young Frenchman's hands. "I swear to you, mydear Monsieur Froment," he said, "that I should be very happy to helpyou, for you are a man of simple soul, and I really begin to feel worriedfor you. But you must not ask me for impossibilities. Ah! if you onlyknew—if I could only tell you of all the perils which surround us!However, I think I can repeat to you that you must in no wise rely on mypatron, his Eminence Cardinal Boccanera. He has expressed absolutedisapproval of your book in my