However, whilst apologising for calling at such a late stage, he had found himself in presence of a most amiable man, whose somewhat rough appearance was softened by diplomatic affability, and who, after making him sit down, questioned him with an air of interest, listened to him, and even spoke some words of comfort.
Nevertheless, on again reaching the Piazza of St.Peter's, Pierre well understood that his affair had not made the slightest progress, and that if he ever managed to force the Pope's door, it would not be by way of the Secretariate of State.

And that evening he returned home quite exhausted by so many visits, in such distraction at feeling that little by little he had been wholly caught in that huge mechanism with its hundred wheels, that he asked himself in terror what he should do on the morrow now that there remained nothing for him to do--unless, indeed, it were to go mad.
However, meeting Don Vigilio in a passage of the house, he again wished to ask him for some good advice.

But the secretary, who had a gleam of terror in his eyes, silenced him, he knew not why, with an anxious gesture.

And then in a whisper, in Pierre's ear, he said: "Have you seen Monsignor Nani?
No! Well, go to see him, go to see him.

I repeat that you have nothing else to do!" Pierre yielded.