I think, however, that it would have been much better if he had not written it, both for himself and for you especially." Then as the priest, whose surprise was increasing, opened his mouth to urge him to explain himself, he went on: "No, no, I know nothing, I say nothing.

His Eminence Cardinal Bergerot is a saintly man whom everybody venerates, and if it were possible for him to sin it would only be through pure goodness of heart." Silence fell.

Pierre could divine that an abyss was opening, and dared not insist.

However, he at last resumed with some violence: "But, after all, why should my book be prosecuted, and the books of others be left untouched?
I have no intention of acting as a denouncer myself, but how many books there are to which Rome closes her eyes, and which are far more dangerous than mine can be!" This time Monsignor Fornaro seemed glad to be able to support Pierre's views.

"You are right," said he, "we cannot deal with every bad book, and it greatly distresses us.