"
"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.
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