The baron was unmoved at the insult, and after a time he said, with perfect tranquillity:
"Don't be a fool. What has my face to do with the matter? I am catholic, apostolic, Roman; but if to-morrow the king our señor" (here he raised his hand to his cap) "were to send me with a detachment to Rome, I would go like the Constable of Bourbon, sack it, and take the Pope."
"And I say that if his Holiness sent me to put a bayonet through the stomach of that constable, you may be sure I would put two."
"No."
"How no?" roared the chaplain, getting in a rage.
"Because the constable died three centuries ago."
"I am glad of it, for he has then been burning three centuries in hell."
"All this is very well, Pater, but the king is always to the fore, and others have only to be silent and obey."
"The Pope is never silent, señor baron."
"Then he must be gagged."