"So you think that popes are solely created by the grace of the Divinity! The pope of to-morrow is chosen up in heaven, eh, and simply waits?
Well, I fancied that men had something to do with the matter.

But perhaps you already know which cardinal it is that the divine favour has thus elected in advance ?" Then, like the unbeliever he was, he went on with his facile jests, which left the priest unruffled.

In fact, the latter also ended by laughing when the Count, after alluding to the gambling passion which at each fresh Conclave sets wellnigh the whole population of Rome betting for or against this or that candidate, told him that he might easily make his fortune if he were in the divine secret.

Next the talk turned on the three white cassocks of different sizes which are always kept in readiness in a cupboard at the Vatican.

Which of them would be required on this occasion ?--the short one, the long one, or the one of medium size?
Each time that the reigning pope falls somewhat seriously ill there is in this wise an extraordinary outburst of emotion, a keen awakening of all ambitions and intrigues, to such a point that not merely in the black world, but throughout the city, people have no other subject of curiosity, conversation, and occupation than that of discussing the relative claims of the cardinals and predicting which of them will be elected.
"Come, come," Prada resumed, "since you know the truth, I'm determined that you shall tell me.