He strongly suspected that the churchman had come to 'convert' him, as the phrase goes, and he was curious to see what line of argument a man of such intelligence and integrity would take.
'No,' repeated Monsignor Saracinesca, 'I have come for quite another purpose, which I hope to accomplish if you will listen to reason.' The nun stood erect now, though still leaning back against the wall, and she had hidden her hands under her scapular.
'I do not think I am unreasonable,' Giovanni answered quietly.

'My position is this----' 'Do not tire yourself by going over it all,' the prelate answered.

'I understand your position perfectly, for I have been with the Mother Superior nearly half-an-hour.

I am going to take something upon myself, as a man, which some of my profession may condemn.

I am going to do it because I believe it is the right course, and I trust that God will forgive me if it is not.' There was a tremor in the good man's voice, and he ceased speaking, as if to repeat inwardly the solemn words he had just spoken.
'What are you going to do ?' asked Giovanni Severi.
On the question, the nun came forward and rested one hand on the chair in which she had sat, leaning towards the prelate at the same time, with parted lips and eyes full of a strange anticipation.
'You know, I daresay, that I am Secretary to the Cardinal Vicar, and that such cases as yours are to a great extent within my province ?' Giovanni did not know this, but nodded; the nun, who knew it, bent her head, wondering more and more what was coming, and not daring to guess.