It was the Capuchin's turn to look surprised. His sandalled feet shuffled on the carpet, and he prepared to take snuff.
"The Honourable Rossi has been some weeks abroad, and during his absence you have no doubt received letters from him?"
"I have."
"Can you tell me if in any of these letters he has said anything of a certain revolutionary propaganda?"
The Capuchin, with his finger and thumb half raised, stopped and said, "I forbid the question, sir."
"Father General!"
"I mean that I counsel the lady not to answer it."
The Procurator General suppressed another smile, directed this time at Roma, and said, "Bene!"
"Be calm, my daughter," whispered the Capuchin.
"At least," said the Procurator General, "you can now be certain that you had seen the Honourable Rossi before you met him in Rome?"