The Daughter of an Empress

"Yes, yes, I now remember it all," said Albani, with a smile. "You spoke

to me of a wonderful flask of wine, which, by means of the golden tube,

you would gladly help to the honor of being drunk by his holiness from

the communion chalice."

"It is so precious a wine that only the vicegerent of God is worthy of

wetting his lips with it. It must touch the lips of no other mortal!"

"I know such a wine," said Albani; "it thrives best in the region

of Naples,(*) and whoever drinks of it becomes a partaker of eternal

blessedness."

(*) The celebrated poison, Acqua Tofana, is prepared only

in Naples.

"Yes, you are right, it is a wonderfully strengthening wine!" said the

prior, folding his hands and directing his eyes toward the heavens. "We

thank God that He has left us in possession of so precious an essence!

The pope, they say, is suffering and needs strengthening. See how

closely we follow the teaching of Him whose name we bear, and who has

commanded, 'Love your enemies, bless those who curse you!' Instead of

avenging ourselves, we would be his benefactors, and refresh him with

the most precious of what we possess!"

"And you would be so unselfish as to keep from him all knowledge of your

benevolence, you would bless him quite secretly! But how if I should

betray you, and communicate your precious secret to his holiness the

pope? Yes, yes, I shall open my mouth and speak, unless I am prevented

by a golden lock put upon my lips."

"We shall willingly apply such a lock!" said the pleased prior.

"But, that it may entirely close my mouth, the lock will need to be very

heavy!" responded Albani, with a laugh.

"It is so--it weighs six thousand scudi!" said the prior.

"That is much too light!" exclaimed Albani, laughing; "it will hardly

cover my mouth. It still remains that I am to undertake a very hazardous

affair. Reflect, if any one should discover my possession of this

strange wine; if Ganganelli should perceive that it is not wine from his

own cellar that I have poured into the cup for him! It is dangerous work

that you would assign to me, a work for which I might lose my head, and

you venture to offer me a poor six thousand scudi for it! Adieu, then,

pious fathers, keep you your golden lock, and I my unclosed lips. I

shall know when and where to speak!"

And the cardinal moved toward the door. Hastening after him, the prior

handed him a small flask, the contents of which were clear and pure as

crystal water, timidly and anxiously whispering, "Ten drops of this in

Ganganelli's communion wine, and ten thousand scudi are yours!"