"_God_ heareth thee, my brother," he said
pleadingly; "have pity on thine own soul. Kneel to Him alone in thy
great need. But spend not thy strength with trifles that demean us both.
If thine heart hath aught against me, I forgive it."
Then turning to the Chief he besought that the trial should be
short--"For the man is ill, and I would have quiet speech with him."
"For the honor of the Servi, let the matter be dispatched, and let proof
be brought," the Superior demanded, surprised and displeased at any
softness in Fra Paolo, whose dominant note was justice, rather than
mercy.
"We will grant him the favor of a farewell collation ere he taketh leave
of his entertainers," said the Giustinian. "Let the refection be
brought."
The friars exchanged glances of astonishment and dismay as a dish of
fruit and of white bread were brought forward by two of the ducal
guards, on a costly salver wrought with the arms of Venice. It was like
the simple refreshment they had often carried to Fra Paolo's cell when
he had been absorbed by some train of thought, which, according to his
wont, he would not suspend for any hour of sleep or meals until the
problem had been conquered.
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