Why, they would end by maddening him with all the obstacles they raised to exhaust his patience; they would actually implant in him an idea of schism, of an avenging, liberating scandal! He wished to protest and refuse the advice, but all at once he made a gesture of weariness.

What would be the good of it, especially with that young woman, who was certainly sincere and affectionate.

"Who asked you to give me this advice ?" he inquired.

She did not answer, but smiled, and with sudden intuition he resumed: "It was Monsignor Nani, was it not ?" Thereupon, still unwilling to give a direct reply, she began to praise the prelate.

He had at last consented to guide her in her divorce affair; and Donna Serafina had gone to the Palace of the Inquisition that very afternoon in order to acquaint him with the result of certain steps she had taken.