Then came the violent reaction of his
will against this soft langour of the intellect, this temptation of
weakness.
"No, no, no!" he murmured, half aloud. A voice behind him answered:
"You do not wish to listen to us?"
Betiedetto turned round, surprised. Three young men stood before him.
He had not heard them enter. The one who appeared to be the eldest, a
fine-looking young fellow, short of stature, dark, with eyes speaking
knowledge of many things, asked him boldly why he had laid aside the
clerical dress. Benedetto did not reply.
"You do not wish to say?" the other exclaimed.
"It does not matter, but listen to us. We are students from the
University of Rome, men of little faith, that I confess openly and at
once. We are enjoying and making the most of our youth, that I will also
confess at once."
One of his companions pulled a fold of the spokesman's coat.
"Be quiet!" said the leader. "It is true there is one among us who,
though he has no great faith in the saints, is very pure. He, however,
is not here before you. There are others missing also, who are playing
cards at the tavern.
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