ce. I have whole centuries of
sin to redeem, and only a month or two of life to do it in. 120
How should I dare to say--

_Intendant._ "Forgive us our trespasses"?

_Monsignor._ My friend, it is because I avow myself a
very worm, sinful beyond measure, that I reject a line of
conduct you would applaud perhaps. Shall I proceed, 125
as it were, a-pardoning?--I?--who have no symptom
of reason to assume that aught less than my strenuousest
efforts will keep myself out of mortal sin, much less
keep others out. No: I do trespass, but will not double
that by allowing you to trespass. 130

_Intendant._ And suppose the villas are not your
brother's to give, nor yours to take? Oh, you are hasty
enough just now!

_Monsignor._ 1, 2--No. 3!--aye, can you read the substance
of a letter, No. 3, I have received from Rome? It 135
is precisely on the ground there mentioned, of the suspicion
I have that a certain child of my late elder brother, who
would have succeeded to his estates, was murdered in
infancy by you, Maffeo, at the instigation of my late
younger brother--that the Pontiff enjoins on me not 140
merely the bringing that Maffeo to condign punishment,
but the taking all pains, as guardian of the infant's heritage
for the Church, to recover it parcel by parcel, howsoever,
whensoever, and wheresoever. While you are now
gnawing those fingers, the police are engaged in sealing 145
up your papers, Maffeo, and the mere raising my voice
brings my people from the next room to dispose of yourself.
But I want you to confess quietly, and save me raising
my voice. Why, man, do I not know the old story?
The heir between the succeeding heir, and this heir's 150
ruffianly instrument, and their complot's effect, and the
life of fear and bribes and ominous smiling silence? Did
you throttle or stab my brother's infant? Come now!

_Intendant._ So old a story, and tell it no better?
When did such an instrument ever produce such an 155
effect? Either the child smiles in his face, or, most likely,
he is not fool enough to put himself in the employer's
power so thoroughly; the child is always ready to produce--as
you say--howsoever, wheresoever, and whensoever.

_Monsignor._ Liar!