Roma fixed her timid eyes on the Pope's face and answered:

"I have nothing to do with my husband's opinions, your Holiness. I have

only to be true to the friendship he gives me and the love I bear him."

"My child," said the Pope, "ask yourself what your husband is doing at

this moment. Not content with sowing the seeds of discord in Parliament

and by the press, he is wandering through Europe, gathering up the

adventurers who work in darkness in every country, and hatching a

conspiracy which would lead to a state of anarchy throughout the world."

Roma withdrew her hand from the hand of the Pope and made an exclamation

of dissent.

"Ah, I know what you would say, my daughter. He did not set out to

produce anarchy. Such men never do. They begin with evolution and end

with revolution. They begin with peace and end with violence. And the

only sequel to your husband's aims must be the destruction of civil

society, of Government, and of the Church."

Roma's fingers were clasped convulsively in her lap. She lifted her

timid but passionate face and said:

"I know nothing about that, your Holiness. I only know that whatever he

is doing his heart laid it upon him as a duty, and his heart is pure and

noble."

"My daughter, your husband may be the greatest of patriots in spirit and

intention, but nevertheless he is one of the criminal and visionary

teachers of this unhappy time who are deluding the ignorant crowd with

promises that can never be realised. Anarchy, chaos, the uprooting of

religion and morality, of justice, human dignity, and the purity of

domestic life--these are the only possible fruits of the seed he is

sowing."

The timid eyes began to flash. "I did not come here to hear this, your

Holiness." The Pope put his hand tenderly on her hands.

"Remember, my child, what you said yourself on your former visit."

Roma dropped her head.

"The authorities know all about it."

"Holy Father!"

"It was necessary."

"Then ... then somebody must have told them."

"I told them. The Holy Father revealed no more than was necessary to

relieve his conscience and to prevent crime. It was your own tongue that

told the rest, my daughter."

He recalled what had passed in the cabinet of the Prime Minister, and

Roma felt as if something choked her. "No matter!" she said, with the

same frightened but passionate face. "David Rossi is prepared for

anything, and he will be prepared for this."




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024