It was instantaneous; like a flash!" Benedetto's chest heaved, so violent was this revulsion of memory.
"It may have been a delusion," he said; "but it was not the work of malign spirits." "The evil spirits," the Pontiff said, "do sometimes masquerade as angels of light.

Perhaps, at that time, they were striving against the spirit of goodness which was within you.

Did you take pride in this vision, later on ?" Benedetto bowed his head, and reflected for some time.
"Perhaps--on one occasion," said he, "for one moment, at Santa Scolastica, when my master, in the Abbot's name, offered me the habit of a lay-brother, that habit which was afterwards taken from me at Jenne.
Then I thought for a moment that this unexpected offer confirmed the last part of my vision, and I felt a wave of satisfaction, deeming myself the object of divine favour.

I immediately entreated God to pardon me, as I now entreat Your Holiness to pardon me." The Pontiff did not speak, but he raised his hand with wide-spread fingers, and lowered it again, in an act of absolution.
Then he began to examine the different papers lying on the little table, seeming to consult more than one attentively, as he turned them over.
He laid them down, arranged them in a packet, which he pushed aside, and once more broke the silence: "My son," he said, "I must ask you other questions.

You have mentioned Jenne.