The
Church has infinite patience even with refractory sinners."
"Has it?" asked Manuel simply, and his clear eyes, turning slowly
towards Vergniaud and his son, rested there a moment, and then came
back to fix the same steady look upon Moretti's face. Not another
word did he say,--but Moretti flushed darkly, and anon grew very
pale. Restraining his emotions however by an effort, he addressed
himself with cold formality once more to the Abbe.
"You have no explanation then to offer to His Holiness, beyond what
you have already said?"
"None!" replied Vergniaud steadily. "The reasons for my conduct I
think are sufficiently vital and earnest to be easily understood."
"And your Eminence has nothing more to say on this matter?" pursued
Moretti, turning to the Cardinal.
"Nothing, my son! But I would urge that the Holy Father should
extend his pardon to the offenders, the more so as one of them is on
the verge of that land where we 'go hence and are no more seen.'"
Moretti's eyelids quivered, and his lips drew together in a hard and
cruel line.
"I will assuredly represent your wishes to His Holiness," he
replied, "But I doubt whether they will meet with so much approval
as surprise and regret.
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