Two things he sought thenceforth to avoid,--paying court to the beautiful young princess, and speaking lightly of things held sacred by her.
Complying with the expressed wish of the two ladies, in the evening he made with them the round of the principal churches, which now all wore gala attire.

He took his seat on the box by the coachman's side, and pointed out, in passing, the buildings and scenes of special interest.
In one of the churches he showed the ladies facsimiles of the four nails used in the Crucifixion; of the originals, one, he explained, was preserved in St.Peter's, and another had been used to make the circle of the Iron Crown.

He even bought as a souvenir one of these facsimiles, which a Cistercian monk was offering for sale.

He obtained also consecrated palm-branches with gilded leaves, and bribed the custodian of the three sacred orange-trees planted by the Apostles to give his party each a tiny leaflet.

He schooled his face to betray no incredulity when the keepers of the various holy relics recited their virtues, and related the miracles wrought by them.