I also believe this, I do not despair of finding one,
for perhaps, even now, he exists. Who knows?"
"Himself," murmured Don Paolo,
"Now," Don Clemente went on, "I wish the Abbe Marinier to understand
this: that we are, in a manner, the prophets of this saint, of this
Messiah, preparing the way for him; which simply means that we point out
the necessity of a renovation of all that, in our religion, is outward
clothing, and not the body of truth, even should such a renovation cause
suffering to many consciences. _Ingemiscit et parturit!_ We must point
out this necessity, standing the while on absolutely Catholic ground,
looking for the new laws from the old authorities, bringing proofs that
if these garments which have been worn so long and in such stormy times,
be not changed, no decent person will come near us; and God forbid that
some among us should be driven to cast them off without permission, out
of a loathing not to be borne. I wish furthermore to say, if the Abbe
Marinier will permit me, that we have very few human fears."
A murmur of hearty assent answered him, and Minucci started up, every
nerve vibrating.
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