"Yes, yes, I now remember it all," said Albani, with a smile. "You spoke
to me of a wonderful flask of wine, which, by means of the golden tube,
you would gladly help to the honor of being drunk by his holiness from
the communion chalice."
"It is so precious a wine that only the vicegerent of God is worthy of
wetting his lips with it. It must touch the lips of no other mortal!"
"I know such a wine," said Albani; "it thrives best in the region
of Naples,(*) and whoever drinks of it becomes a partaker of eternal
blessedness."
(*) The celebrated poison, Acqua Tofana, is prepared only
in Naples.
"Yes, you are right, it is a wonderfully strengthening wine!" said the
prior, folding his hands and directing his eyes toward the heavens. "We
thank God that He has left us in possession of so precious an essence!
The pope, they say, is suffering and needs strengthening. See how
closely we follow the teaching of Him whose name we bear, and who has
commanded, 'Love your enemies, bless those who curse you!' Instead of
avenging ourselves, we would be his benefactors, and refresh him with
the most precious of what we possess!"
"And you would be so unselfish as to keep from him all knowledge of your
benevolence, you would bless him quite secretly! But how if I should
betray you, and communicate your precious secret to his holiness the
pope? Yes, yes, I shall open my mouth and speak, unless I am prevented
by a golden lock put upon my lips."
"We shall willingly apply such a lock!" said the pleased prior.
"But, that it may entirely close my mouth, the lock will need to be very
heavy!" responded Albani, with a laugh.
"It is so--it weighs six thousand scudi!" said the prior.
"That is much too light!" exclaimed Albani, laughing; "it will hardly
cover my mouth. It still remains that I am to undertake a very hazardous
affair. Reflect, if any one should discover my possession of this
strange wine; if Ganganelli should perceive that it is not wine from his
own cellar that I have poured into the cup for him! It is dangerous work
that you would assign to me, a work for which I might lose my head, and
you venture to offer me a poor six thousand scudi for it! Adieu, then,
pious fathers, keep you your golden lock, and I my unclosed lips. I
shall know when and where to speak!"
And the cardinal moved toward the door. Hastening after him, the prior
handed him a small flask, the contents of which were clear and pure as
crystal water, timidly and anxiously whispering, "Ten drops of this in
Ganganelli's communion wine, and ten thousand scudi are yours!"