o was now the Superior, in a
stentorian tone; for within these walls there was no appeal from his
judgment or his temper. "The man who speaks only what he _knows_ is old
in wisdom;" and turning he addressed the company in great dignity: "It
doth appear that Rome approveth Fra Paolo's rendering and hath gravely
censured the Inquisitor who hath cited him, commanding him to meddle
only with that of which he hath some understanding."

"There are then tale-bearers whose jealousy would ruin our Paolo!" Fra
Giulio had exclaimed in anxiety.

"It was none other than Fra Paolo himself who carried the tale," the
Superior retorted in scorn of the old man's weak affection. "Fra Paolo
refused to appear before the Inquisitor who had cited him, who, he
alleged, knew not Hebrew nor Greek, and had therefore no knowledge upon
which to base his judgment; and on this ground Fra Paolo appealed to
Rome."

"It were a pity," said a gentle-faced young friar, who had been
listening silently, but with an expression of deep and affectionate
interest, "that one of so rare learning should remain long in a position
of danger to orthodoxy. Already the Court of Mantua hath been censured
by the Holy Father for heretical opinions."

"Nay; but for harboring heretics, hunted and driven," Fra Giulio
corrected warmly. "There be deeds of mercy that will be forgiven us."

A look of perplexity crossed the candid, boyish face of Fra Francesco.

"But the law of obedience is more simple," he said timidly; "and our
Holy Father--"

"Thou, not yet out of thy novitiate, doest well, verily, to prate of
obedience and doctrines," interrupted Father Gianmaria, less severely
than he was wont to treat such breaches of etiquette; for Fra Francesco
had deep, spiritual, loving eyes, in which an unuttered wonder sometimes
seemed to chide, for all his gentleness; and his ways were winsome.

So, through the years, whether he were present or absent, the life of
the convent had centered about Fra Paolo, who now, after many missions
of importance, had once more returned to his old cell in the Servi, with
another added for his books and labors, since often it suited him to be
alone. The breath of jealousy still clouded the serenity of his sky, and
he was not without some unfulfilled longings; but no scandal had ever
touched him. He was great enough now to be smitten through his friends,
and the good Fra Giulio had been the victim taken in his stead; upon Fra
Paolo's last home