She was in complete
ignorance of Jeanne's religious opinions.
"Yes," her companion answered. "Why?"
"Oh, nothing! I thought you seemed dissatisfied. Then you are not sorry
you came?"
Signora Albacina was greatly astonished when Jeanne seized her hand and
replied: "I am so grateful to you!"
The voice was low and quiet, the pressure of the hand almost violent.
"Indeed! indeed!" thought Signora Albacina. "This is one of the future
'Ladies of the Holy Spirit'!"
"For my part," she said aloud, "I am sure I shall keep to my old
religion, the religion of the non-concessionists. They may be Pharisees
or anything else you like, but I fear that if this old religion is
subjected to so much retouching and restoring, it will tumble down, and
nothing will be left standing. Besides, if we followed these Benedettos,
too many things would have to be changed. No, no! However, the man
interests me extremely. Now we must try to see him. We must see him!
Especially as he seems doomed to speedy death. Don't you think so? How
can we manage it? Let us think!"
"I have no wish to see him," Jeanne said hastily.
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