nd, taking hold of
the hem of his gown, she remained prostrate and silent for some moments,
when at last she timidly arose. Alexander set her some questions
concerning the Divine Mysteries. These she answered readily at first,
but, as his questions grew, she faltered, became embarrassed, and fell
silent, standing before him white and trembling, no doubt a very piteous
figure. The Pope, not liking this, turned to the Prior to demand an
explanation, and admonished him sternly: "Caveto, Pater, quia ego Papa
sum!"

This had the effect of throwing the Prior into confusion, and he set
himself to explain that she was in reality very wonderful, that he
himself had not at first believed in her, but that he had seen so
much that he had been converted. At this stage Cesare came to his
aid, bearing witness, as he could, that he himself had seen the
Prior discredit her when others were already hailing her as a saint,
wherefore, if he now was convinced, he must have had very good evidence
to convince him. We can imagine the Prior's gratitude to the young
cardinal for that timely word when he saw himself in danger perhaps of
being called to account for fostering and abetting an imposture.

What was Alexander's opinion of her in the end we do not know; but we
do know that he was not readily credulous. When, for instance, he heard
that the stigmata were alleged to have appeared upon the body of Lucia
di Narni he did what might be expected of a sceptic of our own times
rather than of a churchman of his superstitious age--he sent his
physicians to examine her.

That is but one instance of his common-sense attitude towards
supernatural manifestations. His cold, calm judgement caused him to
seek, by all available and practical means, to discriminate between the
true and the spurious in an age in which men, by their credulity, were
but too ready to become the prey of any impostor. It argues a breadth of
mind altogether beyond the times in which he had his being. Witches and
warlocks, who elsewhere--and even in much later ages, and in Protestant
as well as Catholic States--were given to the fire, he contemptuously
ignored. The unfortunate Moors and Jews, who elsewhere in Europe were
being persecuted by the Holy Inquisition and burnt at the stake as an
act of faith for the good of their souls and the greater honour and
glory of God, found in Alexander a tolerant protector and in Rome a safe
shelter.

These circumstances concerning him are