My heart was uplifted as if crying out: 'I am beloved indeed of God!' And now--" "Ah! but--!" the Padre exclaimed, and then stopped suddenly, his face suffused with colour.

Benedetto believed he understood what was in his mind: "It is not said that you may not sometime resume the habit you have just laid aside! It is not said that the vision may not yet come true!" He had not wished to utter this thought, either from prudence, or in order not to allude to Benedetto's death.

He smiled and embraced his master.

The Padre hastened to speak of other things; he apologised for the parish priest, who was much grieved by what was happening, and would not have sent Benedetto away, had he not feared his superiors.

He was not a Don Abbondio [1]; he did not fear for himself, but dreaded scandal of a conflict with the authorities.
[Footnote: Don Abbondio-a priest in Mazzoni's work _I Promessi Sposi_.
(Translator's Note.)] "I forgive him," said Benedetto, "and I pray God to forgive him, but this lack of moral courage is a great evil in the Church.