The Bishop sent the word.' 'And everybody here does what the priests tell them ?' Lucy's tone expressed that instinctive resentment which the Puritan feels against a ruling and dominant Catholicism.
Antonio laughed again, but a little stupidly.

It was the laugh of a man who knows that it is not worth while even to begin to explain certain matters to a stranger.
'They understand their business--_i preti!_'-- was all he would say.
Then--'_Ma!_--they are rich--the priests! All these last years--so many banks--so many _casse_--so many _societa_! That holds the people better than prayers.' * * * * * When Lucy turned homewards she found herself watching the light in the far window with an eager attention.

A priest in disgrace ?--and a foreigner?
What could he be hiding here for ?--in this remote corner of a district which, as they had been already told at Orvieto, was Catholic, _fino al fanatismo_?
* * * * * The morning rose, fresh and glorious, over mountain and forest.
Eleanor watched the streaks of light that penetrated through the wooden sun-shutters grow brighter and brighter on the white-washed wall.

She was weary of herself, weary of the night.

The old building was full of strange sounds--of murmurs and resonances, of slight creepings and patterings, that tried the nerves.