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With a free and noble demeanor, Braschi now approached the pope, who

re him, with a calm and proud

self-possession Braschi dropped upon one knee, and pressing the hearment in his lips, said: "Pardon me, most holy father, that I have ventured to seek you here

But er restrained It is of the wind I must be the first to fall at

your feet to sta his head the pope motioned him to rise

"It is well," said he, "and you have lent your gratitude an abundance of

words It is true you were only treasurer, and I have per you a cardinal But remember, my lord

cardinal, that I have promoted you only because I wished to take from

you the office of treasurer, as I need a man for that post whose honesty

no one could call in question!"

Thus speaking he passed on with a cere

the new cardinal rooted to the earth with terror, his beautiful brow

distorted with rage

"He shall expiate that,"his teeth, as the

pope slowly pursued his way "By the Eternal, the proud Franciscan shall

expiate that! Ah, the day will come when he will fully reanelli wandered calmly on, followed by his faithful

Lorenzo, with a smile of joy at this dismissal and humiliation of the

proud and handso to Lorenzo said: "What a strange thought has passed through my head! I have made this

miserable coxcoh