Part 34 (1/2)
”His Eminence forbids me to pay calls? And for what reason?”
”Because you have used his name to introduce yourself into certain places.”
”It is not true.”
”You have told people you went to that you are Cardinal Fort's nephew.”
”And I am not?” asked Caesar, after taking a swallow of coffee.
”You are trying to make use of the relations.h.i.+p, we don't know with what end in view.”
”I am trying to make use of my relations.h.i.+p to Cardinal Fort? Why shouldn't I?”
”You admit it?”
”Yes, I admit it. People are such imbeciles that they think it is an honour to have a Cardinal in the family; I take advantage of this stupid idea, although I do not share it, because for me a Cardinal is merely an object of curiosity, an object for an archeological museum....”
Caesar paused, because the monk's countenance was growing dark. In the twilight of his pallid face, his nose looked like a comet portending some public calamity.
”Poor wretch!” murmured the monk. ”You do not know what you are saying.
You are blaspheming. You are offending G.o.d.” ”Do you really believe that G.o.d has any relation to my uncle?” asked Caesar, paying more attention to his toast than to his visitor.
And then he added:
”The truth is that it would be extravagant behaviour on the part of G.o.d.”
The monk looked at Caesar with terrible eyes. Those grey eyes of his, under their long, black, thick brows, shot lightning.
”Poor wretch!” repeated the monk. ”You ought to have more respect for things above you.”
Caesar arose.
”You are bothering me and preventing me from drinking my coffee,” he said, with exquisite politeness, and touched the bell.
”Be careful!” exclaimed the monk, seizing Caesar's arm with violence.
”Don't you touch me again,” said Caesar, pulling away violently, his face pale and his eyes flas.h.i.+ng. ”If you do, I have a revolver here with five chambers, and I shall take pleasure in emptying them one by one, taking that lighthouse you carry about for a nose, as my target.”
”Fire it if you dare.”
Fortunately the waiter had come in on hearing the bell.
”Do you wish anything, sir?” he asked.
”Yes, please escort this clerical gentleman to the door, and tell him on the way not to come back here.”
Days later Caesar found out that there had been a great disturbance at the Altemps palace in consequence of the calls he had made. Preciozi had been punished and sent away from Rome, and the various Spanish monasteries and colleges warned not to receive Caesar.