Desiring to avoid a direct reply, for although he now felt no anger the wrenching away of his dream had left him a smarting wound, he bowed, and replied slowly in order to conceal the bitter tremble of his voice: "I repeat, Monseigneur, that I deeply thank you for having amputated my vain illusions with the skill of an accomplished surgeon.

A little later, when I shall have ceased to suffer, I shall think of you with eternal gratitude." Monsignor Nani still looked at him with a smile.

He fully understood that this young priest would remain on one side, that as an element of strength he was lost to the Church.

What would he do now?
Something foolish no doubt.

However, the prelate had to content himself with having helped him to repair his first folly; he could not foresee the future.
And he gracefully waved his hand as if to say that sufficient unto the day was the evil thereof.
"Will you allow me to conclude, my dear son ?" he at last exclaimed.