"That is what the Prioress would probably say, my dear Knight, were I
so foolish as to flaunt before her this most priceless parchment. And
yet--I know not. It may be wise to send it, or to show it without much
comment, simply in order that she may see the effect upon the mind of
the Holy Father himself, of a full knowledge of the complete facts of
the case."
"My lord," said the Knight, with much earnestness, "how came that full
knowledge to His Holiness in Rome?"
"When first you came to me," replied the Bishop, "with this grievous
tale of wrong and treachery, I knew that if you won your way with Mora,
we must be armed with highest authority for the marriage and for her
return to the world, or sorrow and much trial for her might follow,
with, perhaps, danger for you. Therefore I resolved forthwith to lay
the whole matter, without loss of time, before the Pope himself. I
know the Holy Father well; his openness of mind, his charity and
kindliness; his firm desire to do justly, and to love mercy. Moreover,
his friendship for me is such, that he would not lightly refuse me a
request. Also he would, of his kindness, incline to be guided by my
judgment.
"Wherefore, no sooner were all the facts in my possession, those you
told me, those I already knew, and those I did for myself deduce from
both, than I sent for young Roger de Berchelai, whose wits and devotion
I could safely trust, gave him all he would need for board and lodging,
boats and steeds, that he might accomplish the journey in the shortest
possible time, and despatched him to Rome with a written account of the
whole matter, under my private seal, to His Holiness the Pope.
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