If you only heard with what gentle ferocity he derides Monsieur de la Choue, whom he calls the weeping willow of Neo-Catholicism!" Pierre carried his hands to his temples and pressed his head despairingly.

"Then why, why, tell me I beg of you, why has he brought me here and kept me here in this house at his disposal?
Why has he promenaded me up and down Rome for three long months, throwing me against obstacles and wearying me, when it was so easy for him to let the Index condemn my book if it embarrassed him?
It's true, of course, that things would not have gone quietly, for I was disposed to refuse submission and openly confess my new faith, even against the decisions of Rome." Don Vigilio's black eyes flared in his yellow face: "Perhaps it was that which he wished to prevent.

He knows you to be very intelligent and enthusiastic, and I have often heard him say that intelligence and enthusiasm should not be fought openly." Pierre, however, had risen to his feet, and instead of listening, was striding up and down the room as though carried away by the whirlwind of his thoughts.

"Come, come," he said at last, "it is necessary that I should know and understand things if I am to continue the struggle.

You must be kind enough to give me some detailed particulars about each of the persons mixed up in my affair.