They brought me a message from the Holy Father which wrung my heart.

Next week they were to publish the official withdrawal--"_librum reprobavit, et se laudabiliter subjecit_"-- you know the formula?
But meanwhile they asked more of me.

His Eminence entreated of me a private letter that he might send it to the Holy Father.

So I made a condition.

I would write,--but they must promise, on their part, that nothing should be published beyond the formal submission,--that my letter should be for his eyes alone, and for the Pope.