He was a Christian now, and had been baptized by the young priest.

There was the fair-haired Lombard youth, the master's favourite.
There was a very handsome young workman, with the face of an apostle, who was also from the Abruzzo, and was a friend of the priest's.

There was that same Andrea Minucci, who had been at the religious meeting at Subiaco.

There were, also, a naval officer, who had a post in the Naval Department, a painter, and some others.

All of them were men who would have sacrificed any earthly affection to their affection for Benedetto.
Not one of them had believed any of the slanderous reports which had been spread concerning him.