people--because they are blind--
because their faith depends on me. If I put on sackcloth and cast
myself among the ashes, who will take up the standard and head the
battle? Have I not been led by a way which I knew not to the work that
lies before me?"

The conflict was one that could not end, and in the effort at prayerful
pleading the uneasy mind laved its smart continually in thoughts of the
greatness of that task which there was no man else to fulfil if he
forsook it. It was not a thing of everyday that a man should be
inspired with the vision and the daring that made a sacred rebel.

Even the words of prayer had died away. He continued, to kneel, but his
mind was filled with the images of results to be felt through all
Europe; and the sense of immediate difficulties was being lost in the
glow of that vision, when the knocking at the door announced the
expected visit.

Savonarola drew on his mantle before he left his cell, as was his custom
when he received visitors; and with that immediate response to any
appeal from without which belongs to a power-loving nature accustomed to
make its power felt by speech, he met Tito with a glance as
self-possessed and strong as if he had risen from resolution instead of
conflict.

Tito did not kneel, but simply made a greeting of profound deference,
which Savonarola received quietly without any sacerdotal words, and then
desiring him to be seated, said at once--

"Your business is something of weight, my son, that could not be
conveyed through others?"

"Assuredly, father, else I should not have presumed to ask it. I will
not trespass on your time by any proem. I gathered from a remark of
Messer Domenico Mazzinghi that you might be glad to make use of the next
special courier who is sent to France with despatches from the Ten. I
must entreat you to pardon me if I have been too officious; but inasmuch
as Messer Domenico is at this moment away at his villa, I wished to
apprise you that a courier carrying important letters is about to depart
for Lyons at daybreak to-morrow."

The muscles of Fra Girolamo's face were eminently under command, as must
be the case with all men whose personality is powerful, and in
deliberate speech he was habitually cautious, confiding his intentions
to none without necessity. But under any strong mental stimulus, his
eyes were liable to a dilatation and added brilliancy that no strength
of will could control. He looked steadily at Ti