Hadrian the Seventh

by Frederick Rolfe

"Well really I never read anything more abominable in my life!"

"Nor did We."

All the cardinalitial eyes were directed toward the Pope. He remained standing on the step of the throne; and seemed to be changing into alabaster. Semphill lashing himself to fury, continued "I should like to think that something will be done about it."

"So should We."

Semphill prolapsed and stared. "But surely Your Holiness will do something?"

"No."

"What? Not answer them?"

"No."

"One would have thought that there would be some canonical means of bringing the Catholic Hour to book for aspersions against the Pope:" Sterling said.

"There is the bull Exsecrabilis of Pius II. But it is not the Pope Who is aspersed. It is George Arthur Rose:" imperturbably said Hadrian.