Peter more violently than before, and when
Bonpre left the Holy Presence he knew well enough that he was, for
no fault of his own, under the displeasure of the Vatican. How had
it all come about? Nothing could have been simpler than his life and
actions since he left his own Cathedral-town,--he had prayed for a
sick child,--he had sympathised with a sorry sinner,--that was all.
And such deeds as these were commanded by Christ. Yet--the Head of
the Church for these same things viewed him with wrath and
suspicion! Wearily he sat, turning over everything in his mind, and
longing, with a weakness which he fully admitted to his own
conscience, to leave Rome at once and return to his own home, there
to die among his roses at peace. But he saw it would never do to
leave Rome just yet. He was bound fast hand and foot. He was
"suspect"! In his querulous fit the Pope had ordered Claude Cazeau
to return to Rouen without delay, and there gather further evidence
respecting the Cardinal's stay at the Hotel Poitiers, and if
possible, to bring the little Fabien Doucet and his mother back to
Rome with him. Pending the arrival of fresh proof, Bonpre, though he
had received no actual command, knew he was expected to remain where
he was.
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