Then he began to examine the different papers lying on the little table,
seeming to consult more than one attentively, as he turned them over. He
laid them down, arranged them in a packet, which he pushed aside, and
once more broke the silence:
"My son," he said, "I must ask you other questions. You have mentioned
Jenne. I was not even aware of the existence of this Jenne. It has been
described to me. To tell the truth, I cannot understand why you ever
went to Jenne."
Benedetto smiled quietly, but did not attempt to justify himself, not
wishing to interrupt the Pope, who continued:
"It was an unfortunate idea, for who can say what is really going on at
Jenne? Do you know there are those up there, who look on you with little
favour?"
In reply Benedetto only prayed His Holiness not to oblige him to answer.
"I understand," the Pope said, "and, I must confess, your prayer is most
Christian. You need not speak; but I cannot hide the fact that you have
been accused of many things. Are you aware of this?"
Benedetto was aware of, or rather suspected, one accusation only.
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