There were several reasons why that place had not seemed quite suitable.

Guarnacci, becoming a disciple, had offered his own house.
The meetings were held there twice a week.

Among those who attended them were the Selvas, Signora Selva's sister, a few priests, the Venetian lady who had just left, some young men--among these he might mention a certain Alberti, a favourite with the Master, who this evening had come and gone with him, and a Jew, whose name was Viterbo, and who was soon to become a Catholic; of him the Master expected great things.

Besides these a journeyman printer, several artists, and even two members of Parliament came regularly.

The object of these meetings was to acquaint such as are drawn to Christ, but who shrink from Catholicism, with what Catholicism really is, the vital and indestructible essence of the Catholic religion, and to show the purely human character of those different forms, which are what render it repugnant to many, but which are changeable, are changing, and will continue to change, through the elaboration of the inner, divine element, combined with the external influences, the influences of science and of the public conscience.
Benedetto was very particular about granting admission to the meetings, for no one was more skilled than he in the delicate task of dealing with souls, respecting their purity, bringing himself down to the small ones, soaring with the high ones, and using with timid souls that careful language which instructs without troubling.
"The Marchesa," continued the Professor, "says he must be an heresiarch, and the priests who follow him heretics.