"When is it to be, Major?"
"To-morrow about mid-day."
"I shall be quite-ready. But have you sent for Father Pifferi?"
"I came to speak about that also. Sister, return to your room for the present."
Elena went out.
"Donna Roma, a great personage has asked to see you in the place of the Father General. He will come in through that doorway. It leads by a passage long sealed up to the apartment of the Pope in the Vatican, and he who comes and goes by it must be unknown and unseen by any one except yourself."
"Major!"
But the Major was going hurriedly out of the room. A moment afterwards the Pope entered in his black cassock as a priest.
VI
"Rise, my child! God knows if the Holy Father ought to give you his blessing. Far be it from me to add bitterness to your remorse in finding yourself in this place and guilty of this sin, but.... Are we alone?"