He wished to tell Benedetto to rise; but he would not speak, fearing his very voice would reveal his emotion.

He insisted by gestures, and at last Benedetto rose.

Drawing the chair towards him, he rested his hands, still tightly clasped, on its back, and once more began to speak.
"If the clergy neglect to teach the people to pray inwardly--and this is as salutary to the soul as certain superstitions are contaminating to it--it is the work of the second spirit of evil, disguised as an angel of light, which infests the Church.

This is the spirit of domination of the clergy.

Those priests who have the spirit of domination are ill-pleased when souls communicate directly and in the natural way with God, going to Him for counsel and direction.