"If the penitent was obliged under pain of mortal sin to reveal his accomplices to repair a common injury, I have maintained against other theologians that even then the confessor cannot oblige him to do so."
"There!" cried the Capuchin. "What did I say? Gaume is wise, and the other theologians, who are they?"
"Only," continued the Pope, turning a page and holding up one finger, "he can and must oblige him to make known his accomplices to other persons who can arrest the scandal."
The Capuchin took a long breath. "Is that what the Holy Father intends to do in this instance?"
"He can and must."
The Capuchin dropped his head, and there was a long pause, in which the Pope walked nervously about the room.
"Poor child!" said the Capuchin. "But perhaps her heart has been too much set on human love."
The Pope sighed.
"Yet who are we, whose hearts are closed to earthly affection, to prescribe a limit to human love?"
"Who indeed?" said the Pope.