oils, and do feed
us like mothers from their gentle dugs.

"Methinks then the Church is never more divine than in this benediction
of our four-footed friends, which has revolted you great theological
authority, the captain of the Pope's guards; since here she inculcates
humility and gratitude, and rises towards the level of the mind divine,
and interprets God to man, God the Creator, parent, and friend of man
and beast.

"But all this, young gentles, you will please to receive, not as
delivered by the Pope ex cathedra, but uttered carelessly, in a free
hour, by an aged clergyman. On that score you will perhaps do well to
entertain it with some little consideration. For old age must surely
bring a man somewhat, in return for his digestion (his 'dura puerorum
ilia,' eh, Francesco!), which it carries away."

Such was the purport of the Pope's discourse but the manner high bred,
languid, kindly, and free from all tone of dictation. He seemed to be
gently probing the matter in concert with his hearers, not playing
Sir Oracle. At the bottom of all which was doubtless a slight touch of
humbug, but the humbug that embellishes life; and all sense of it was
lost in the subtle Italian grace of the thing.

"I seem to hear the oracle of Delphi," said Fra Colonna
enthusiastically.

"I call that good sense," shouted Jacques Bonaventura.

"Oh, captain, good sense!" said Gerard, with a deep and tender reproach.

The Pope smiled on Gerard. "Cavil not at words; that was an unheard
of concession from a rival theologian." He then asked for all Gerard's
work, and took it away in his hand. But before going, he gently pulled
Fra Colonna's ear, and asked him whether he remembered when they were
school-fellows together and robbed the Virgin by the roadside of the
money dropped into her box. "You took a flat stick and applied bird-lime
to the top, and drew the money out through the chink, you rogue," said
his holiness severely.

"To every signor his own honour," replied Fra Colonna. "It was your
holiness's good wit invented the manoeuvre. I was but the humble
instrument."

"It is well. Doubtless you know 'twas sacrilege."

"Of the first water; but I did it in such good company, it troubles me
not."

"Humph! I have not even that poor consolation. What did we spend it in,
dost mind?"

"Can your holiness ask? why, sugar-plums."

"What, all on't?"

"Every doit."

"These are delightful reminiscences, my Francesco. Alas! I am getti