The glistening eyes lighted up with joy. Benedetto called the mother, who, escaping from Maria’s open arms, threw herself upon her son. At that moment Don Clemente entered, looking exhausted; Giovanni and the parish priest were with him.
At the priest’s house Don Clemente had found an ecclesiastic whom he did not know, arguing with the parish priest. According to what he said, a crowd of fanatics were about to carry the girl who had been healed by a miracle to the church of Sant’ Andrea, to return thanks to God. It was the priest’s duty to prevent such a scandal. If the healing of this girl were not an imposture, neither was it a fact. The would-be miracle-worker had also preached much rank heresy concerning miracles and eternal salvation. He had spoken of faith as being a natural virtue; he had even criticised Christ, who healed the sick. At present he was preparing another miracle with a second unfortunate victim. A stop must be put to this! Put a stop to it, indeed! The poor priest who already perceived the odour of the Holy Office, reflected that it was easy enough to say “put a stop to it,” but how was it to be accomplished? Don Clemente’s arrival at that point gave him a moment of relief. “Now,” he told himself, “he will help me.” But, on the contrary, things were worse than ever. When he had heard Don Clemente’s sad message the strange priest exclaimed:
“You see! That is how these miracles end. You must not enter that heretic’s house with the holy viaticum, unless he has first left it, and left it never to return.”
Don Clemente’s face flushed.
“He is not a heretic,” said he. “He is a man of God!”
“You say so!” the other retorted.
“And you, consider well!” he added, turning to the parish priest. “But, after all, you are free to act as you please. It is none of my business. A rivederla!”
Having bowed to Don Clemente, he slipped out of the room, without another word.
“And now? And now?” groaned the unhappy priest, pressing his hands to his temples. “That is a terrible man, but I must not betray the Almighty! Tell me what to do! Tell me what to do!”