Why had he been the one to tell him to leave, when the parish priest came?
His first mistake had been in bringing the Abbot's message.

Noemi knew nothing of this message.

When she heard that Benedetto was to be deprived of his habit her indignation burst forth: Benedetto must not obey.
Meanwhile the Padre and his disciple were approaching the door.
Benedetto stood apart while the Padre came to tell the Selvas and Noemi that as several persons wished to speak with Benedetto, he had arranged that they should see him at the house of a gentleman of the town.

He must now take Benedetto there, but in a few minutes he would return to the church for them.
* * * * * The gentleman was the same person the Selvas had met on the hillside of Jenne, where he was awaiting the Duchess di Civitella.

The Duchess had arrived shortly after, with two other ladies and several gentlemen, among them a journalist, and the young man of the eye-glass.