She stretched out a sweet white hand and touched his own.
"Haven't I done enough wrong to him already, and isn't this paper a
proof of it? Must I go farther still, and bring him to the galleys? You
cannot wish it. Don't you see that the police would have to deny
everything? And I--if you forced me to speak, I should deny everything
also."
A gentle, brave dauntlessness rang in her voice, and the Englishman
could with difficulty keep back his tears.
"Excellency, Sir Evelyn, friend ... tell me I may keep the paper."
The Englishman rose and turned his head away. "It is yours, Donna
Roma--you must do as you please with it."
She kissed the paper and put it in her breast.
"Good-bye, dear friend."
He tried to answer, "Good-bye! God bless you!" But the words would not
come.
"The Major!" said the voice of the sentry. The Commandant of the Castle
came into the room.
"Ah! Major!" cried Roma.
"The doctor tells me you are better this morning."
"Much better."
"It is my duty--my unhappy duty--to bring you a painful message. The
authorities, thinking your presence in Rome a cause of excitement to the
populace, have decided to send you to Viterbo."
"When is it to be, Major?"
"To-morrow about mid-day."
"I shall be quite-ready. But have you sent for Father Pifferi?"
"I came to speak about that also. Sister, return to your room for the
present."
Elena went out.
"Donna Roma, a great personage has asked to see you in the place of the
Father General. He will come in through that doorway. It leads by a
passage long sealed up to the apartment of the Pope in the Vatican, and
he who comes and goes by it must be unknown and unseen by any one except
yourself."
"Major!"
But the Major was going hurriedly out of the room. A moment afterwards
the Pope entered in his black cassock as a priest.
VI "Rise, my child! God knows if the Holy Father ought to give you his
blessing. Far be it from me to add bitterness to your remorse in finding
yourself in this place and guilty of this sin, but.... Are we alone?"
"Quite alone, your Holiness."
"Sit down. The Holy Father will sit beside you."
He was trying to be severe with her, but it was very difficult. His hand
strayed down to hers, and at every hard word there was a tender
pressure.