Jeanne uttered a low murmur of assent.
"Very little indeed!" she exclaimed, almost as if the Professor were to
blame. He appeared much surprised at this sudden outburst, after such a
long silence. He apologised, saying he had not intended to assert that
Benedetto would not speak to the Pope of other matters. He had simply
meant to say that he believed he would certainly mention that subject.
Signora Albacina could not understand this desire of the Pope's to see
Benedetto. How did his friends explain it? What did Selva think about
it? Ah! no one could explain it, neither Selva nor any one else.
"I can explain it!" said Jeanne eagerly, pleased to be able to
understand what puzzled all others. "Was not the Pope once Bishop of
Brescia?"
Guarnacci's smile was half admiring, half ironical, as he answered. Ah!
the Signora was well informed concerning Benedetto's past. The Signora
knew certain things to be facts, things which were whispered in Rome,
but which nevertheless, were doubted by many. Of one fact, however, she
was ignorant. The Pope had never been Bishop of Brescia.
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