"What! is Monsignor Nani the tattler! But I shall scold him, I shall get angry with him! And what does he know?
He doesn't belong to the Congregation; he may have been led into error.

You must tell him that he has made a mistake, and that I have nothing at all to do with your affair.

That will teach him not to reveal needful secrets which everybody respects!" Then, in a pleasant way, with winning glance and flowery lips, he went on: "Come, since Monsignor Nani desires it, I am willing to chat with you for a moment, my dear Monsieur Froment, but on condition that you shall know nothing of my report or of what may have been said or done at the Congregation." Pierre in his turn smiled, admiring how easy things became when forms were respected and appearances saved.

And once again he began to explain his case, the profound astonishment into which the prosecution of his book had thrown him, and his ignorance of the objections which were taken to it, and for which he had vainly sought a cause.
"Really, really," repeated the prelate, quite amazed at so much innocence.

"The Congregation is a tribunal, and can only act when a case is brought before it.