Once more he found himself in presence of the pecuniary question, the necessity in which the Holy See is placed to secure the revenue it requires one year with another.

And thus the Pope was ever in servitude, for if the loss of Rome had freed him of the cares of state, his enforced gratitude for the alms he received still riveted him to earth.

So great, indeed, were the requirements, that money was the ruler, the sovereign power, before which all bowed at the Court of Rome.
And now Sanguinetti rose to dismiss his visitor.

"You must not despair, dear son," he said effusively.

"I have only my own vote, you know, and I promise you that I will take into account the excellent explanations which you have just given me.