It is horrible, horrible!" He seated himself on one of the chairs, inviting the young priest, who had risen, to do the same; and for a moment he remained silent, weary with emotion no doubt, and needing a brief rest to free himself of the weight of thoughts which visibly darkened his usually bright face.

Then, with a gesture, he strove to dismiss that gloom, and recover his amiable cordiality.

"Well, my dear son," he began, "you saw his Holiness ?" "Yes, Monseigneur, yesterday evening; and I thank you for your great kindness in satisfying my desire." Nani looked at him fixedly, and his invincible smile again returned to his lips.

"You thank me....

I can well see that you behaved sensibly and laid your full submission at his Holiness's feet.