Personally he cared nothing about the miracle or how it
had been accomplished, but he cared very much for his own
advancement,--and he saw, or thought he saw, a chance of very
greatly improving his position among the ecclesiastical authorities
if he only kept a cool head and a clear mind. He recognised that
there was a desire on the part of the Pope to place Cardinal Bonpre
under close observance and restraint on account of his having
condoned the Abbe Vergniaud's confession to his congregation in
Paris; and he rightly judged that anything he could do to aid the
accomplishment of that end would not be without its reward. And the
few words which Martine Doucet had let drop concerning the stray boy
who now lived under the Cardinal's protection, had given him a new
idea which he resolved to act upon when he returned to Rome. For it
was surely very strange that an eminent Prince of the Church should
allow himself to be constantly attended by a little tramp rescued
from the street! There was something in it more than common,--and
Cazeau decided that he would suggest a close enquiry being made on
this point.
Crossing the square opposite the Hotel Poitiers, he hesitated before
turning the corner of the street which led towards the avenue where
the Archbishop's house was situated.
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