"
"Will you see him for yourself, Monsignor?" said Angela quietly,
offering to lead the way out of the studio, "You will no doubt
obtain a more direct and explicit answer from the Abbe personally."
For a moment Moretti hesitated. Princesse D'Agramont saw his
indecision, and her smile had a touch of malice in it as she said,
"It is a little difficult to know how to address the Abbe to-day, is
it not, Monsignor? For of course he is no longer an Abbe--no longer
a priest of Holy Church! Helas! When anybody takes to telling the
truth in public the results are almost sure to be calamitous!"
Moretti turned upon her with swift asperity.
"Madame, you are no true daughter of the Church," he said, "and my
calling forbids me to enter into any discussion with you!"
The Princesse gave him a charming upward glance of her bright eyes,
and curtsied demurely, but he paid no heed to her obeisance, and
moving away, went at once with Angela towards the Cardinal's
apartments. In the antechamber he paused, hearing voices.
"Is there anyone with His Eminence, besides Vergniaud?" he asked.
"The Abbe's son Cyrillon," replied Angela timidly.
Moretti frowned.
"I will go in alone," he said, "You need not announce me.
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