And read in particular the story of Abraam, the Jew, who upon visiting Rome was so scandalized by the licence and luxury of the clergy that he straightway had himself baptized and became a Christian, accounting that a religion that could survive such wiles of Satan to destroy it must indeed be the true religion, divinely inspired." He laughed his little cynical laugh to see my confusion increased by that bitter paradox.
It is little wonder that I was all bewildered, that I was like some poor mariner upon unknown waters, without stars or compass.
Thus that summer ebbed slowly, and the time of my projected minor ordination approached.

Messer Gambara's visits to Fifanti's grew more and more frequent, until they became a daily occurrence; and now my cousin Cosimo came oftener too.

But it was their custom to come in the forenoon, when I was at work with Fifanti.

And often I observed the doctor to be oddly preoccupied, and to spend much time in creeping to the window that was all wreathed in clematis, and in peeping through that purple-decked green curtain into the garden where his excellency and Cosimo walked with Monna Giuliana.
When both visitors were there his anxiety seemed less.

But if only one were present he would give himself no peace.