PART III.
VII.
On the following day as Pierre, after a long ramble, once more found himself in front of the Vatican, whither a harassing attraction ever led him, he again encountered Monsignor Nani.

It was a Wednesday evening, and the Assessor of the Holy Office had just come from his weekly audience with the Pope, whom he had acquainted with the proceedings of the Congregation at its meeting that morning.

"What a fortunate chance, my dear sir," said he; "I was thinking of you.

Would you like to see his Holiness in public while you are waiting for a private audience ?" Nani had put on his pleasant expression of smiling civility, beneath which one would barely detect the faint irony of a superior man who knew everything, prepared everything, and could do everything.
"Why, yes, Monsignor," Pierre replied, somewhat astonished by the abruptness of the offer.

"Anything of a nature to divert one's mind is welcome when one loses one's time in waiting." "No, no, you are not losing your time," replied the prelate.