obedience and doctrines," interrupted Father Gianmaria, less severely
than he was wont to treat such breaches of etiquette; for Fra Francesco
had deep, spiritual, loving eyes, in which an unuttered wonder sometimes
seemed to chide, for all his gentleness; and his ways were winsome.

So, through the years, whether he were present or absent, the life of
the convent had centered about Fra Paolo, who now, after many missions
of importance, had once more returned to his old cell in the Servi, with
another added for his books and labors, since often it suited him to be
alone. The breath of jealousy still clouded the serenity of his sky, and
he was not without some unfulfilled longings; but no scandal had ever
touched him. He was great enough now to be smitten through his friends,
and the good Fra Giulio had been the victim taken in his stead; upon Fra
Paolo's last homecoming to the convent the loving, fatherly greeting had
failed him.

"Ask the nuns, to whom he is father confessor; they will have no other,
and refuse admittance to one of our order who hath been sent to take
this duty upon him. And our good Fra Giulio hath been removed in
humiliation, and languisheth in Bologna, by order of the Patriarch who
hath been won by the tale of one who loveth thee not."

"There is no more to it than that?" Fra Paolo questioned.

"Nay, no more, my brother," Fra Francesco answered with conviction.

"The name then?" said Fra Paolo; and when it had been told him he
recognized the man as one in whom trust was misplaced, and one who
intrigued for power.