end this mystery,--how
knowest thou the limit beyond which one may without sin, judge that the
Holy Father shall not command obedience of the sons of the Church?"

"I do not say, when it conflicts with that which is in itself against
the law of God," Fra Paolo answered him, "this limitation thou also
would'st admit; yet it may well-nigh seem to thee a blasphemy to suppose
so strange a case, though many of the early fathers do provide against
it. But, to take another case, when a command of the Sovereign Pontiff
doth conflict with the rule of the Prince in his realm, see'st thou not
what confusion should come if the Pope may revoke the laws of princes
and replace them by his own in the temporal affairs of their dominions?
And if it belong to his Holiness to judge which laws shall be revoked
and what may be legislated to replace the old laws, ultimately but one
power should everywhere reign--and that an ecclesiastical power. The
matter is simple."

Fra Paolo's searching gaze noted the flush of feeling in the face of his
friend, which was his only response.

"And thus will the Senate vote when the question shall come before
them?" Fra Francesco had asked, after a pause; for this conversation had
taken place in the earlier days of the struggle, while in many quarters
opinions were forming.

"There can be no accurate recital of the manner of a happening before it
hath taken place," the Teologo Consultore replied so placidly that his
tone conveyed as little reproach as information; yet Fra Francesco could
not again have put his question in any form.

Still he lingered, as if something more must be spoken, although Fra
Paolo had already sent to summon his secretary. "I also," he said,
asserting himself, with an effort which was always painful to his gentle
soul, "I also would be faithful to my conscience and my vow; that which
I believe--I can teach no other."

"More can one not ask of thee," Fra Paolo answered, suddenly unbending
from the stilted mood of his last words. "By the light that is given him
must each man choose his path."

"If," said Fra Francesco, speaking sorrowfully, "the blessed law of
silence were added to our vow, how would it save a man perplexity and
trouble! For that which one believeth must color his speech, though he
would fain speak little. Thy light is larger than mine own--I know it to
be so--and yet to me it bringeth no vision. I would it had been given us
to see and teach alike!"

"In this