Page:The Saint (1906, G. P. Putnam's Sons).djvu/137

Rh "In prayer," he said.

"That may be, but perhaps some may not believe it. You know what Dante says: Ad ogni ver che ha faccia di menzogna Dee l'uom chiuder la bocca quant'ei puote, Però che senza colpa fa vergogna.

"Oh!" Don Clemente exclaimed, blushing, in his modest dignity, for those who were capable of harbouring vile suspicions.

"Forgive me, my son!" said the Abbot. "He is not accused, the appearances alone are criticised. Do not vex yourself. It is wiser to pray in the house! And these incidents of a supernatural character—pray tell me about them."

Don Clemente said they were visions—voices heard in the air.

"Hm! Hm!" ejaculated the Abbot, with a complicated play of wrinkled forehead, eyebrows, and lips, as if he were swallowing a mouthful of vinegar.

"You said his name was—? His real name?"

"Piero, but when he came here he wished to part with that name, and begged me to give him another. I chose 'Benedetto'—it seemed the most appropriate."