The Dominican turned to his colleagues. "He denies that she is of Siena; therefore, probably she has spoken the truth. We will inscribe her so. Will you now tell us," he asked Virginia, "of what nation is this young man?"
She replied, "He also has spoken the truth. He comes from Padua."
"From Padua!" cried the pock-marked officer; and the breathless priest tossed up his hands, echoing, "A Venetian subject!"
"You are wrong," I said, "I am an English subject."
"Silence," said the stern Dominican, "you are now inscribed as a Venetian subject. A Venetian subject! From a country of profligacies and indescribable laxity of manners! A Venetian! A comedian!"
"I am neither," said I; "but I must observe that it is open to a
Venetian (if such I were), in a time of profound peace, to enter this
State."
"A comedian!" said the smiling Dominican in a whisper. I grew red with vexation.
"Sir, sir," I reproved him, "you are making me a comedian against my will."
These things, however, being duly inscribed against me, the more severe officer took up his parable. "The Grand Duke," he said, "is clement, the Holy Office very patient, but there are bounds. The laws must in all cases be observed. In this case I suspect the worst. Pray, are you two living in sin?"
Virginia cried, "Oh, father!" and the fact was immediately inscribed; but now I was furious.