Page 299 - Revelation

Svetlana de Rohan-Levashova. Revelation

I had gone to the basements and now His "Holiness" was going to vent his anger on
the unfortunate cardinal who helplessly sat next to me...

– Congratulations, Madonna! I see that you obviously like this place, if, even
being alone, you come back here! Well, allow me to give you pleasure. Now we shall
organize a nice show for you! – He complacently smiled and sat in his favourite large
arm-chair, obviously going to enjoy the forthcoming "show".
My head began to spin with hatred... Why?! Why does this monster think that any
human life belongs to him and he has a right to take it when he feels like it?

– Your Holiness, are there really heretics among the faithful servants of your
beloved church?
– I asked in a heavily jeering manner, hardly restraining my indignation.
– Oh, this time it’s just serious disobedience, Isidora. There is not a bit of heresy
here. I just don’t like when my orders are not fulfilled. And every disobedience needs
a short sharp lesson for the future, doesn’t it, my dear Morone? I think you do agree
with me, don’t you?
Morone!!! Of course! That is why this man seemed familiar to me! I saw him just
once at the Papal personal reception. The cardinal delighted me then with his truly
natural grandeur and the freedom of his sharp mind. I remember that Caraffa seemed
then very benevolent and satisfied with him. Of what could the cardinal be so guilty
now that the rancorous Pope dared to throw him into this terrible stone sack?

– Well, my friend, are you ready to asknowledge your error and come back to the
Emperor to remedy it, or will you rot here until I die?... This, as far as I know, will
happen in the very distant future...
I froze... What did it mean?! What changed?! Caraffa was going to live long???
And he declared that very confidently! What could have happened to him when he was
absent?

– Don’t waste your efforts, Caraffa... It’s not interesting anymore. You have no
right to torture me and keep me in this basement. And you perfectly know that. –
Morone answered very calmly.
He still had his permanent dignity that once delighted me so sincerely. And here
our first and only meeting rose up very brightly in my memory...
It happened late at night during one of Caraffa’s strange "night" receptions.
There were almost no expected visitors left, as suddenly a thin as a rake servant
announced that his Grace Cardinal Morone had arrived and, besides, was "in a hurry".

Caraffa was evidently pleased. Meanwhile a man entered the hall with a majestic step...
Surely he was exactly the one who deserved the higher rank of the church! Tall, slender
and smart, magnificent in his bright moire attire, he walked with an easy springy gait
on the richest carpets, like on autumn leaves, proudly carrying his beautiful head, as if
the world belonged only to him. Pure-bred from the root of his hair to the tips of his
aristocratic fingers, he inspired involuntary respect, even in people who don’t know
him.
– Are you ready, Morone? – Caraffa merrily exclaimed. – I hope you will please
us with your efforts! I wish you a happy trip, cardinal. Salute the Emperor on our

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