Whereupon he entered into so many details concerning the history of these ladies, that I was astonished at the extent of his information; but I was still more surprised to hear the younger Jesuit contribute his share as well, and even correct some points which the other had advanced. I had the curiosity to inquire how long this youth had been in Tivoli, and discovered that he was a Pole, and had only been six months in the place. A priest came by, next, and respecting him also we had a full and minute account. Afterwards the Princess Santacroce passed in her carriage; my two Jesuits made her a profound reverence, and the elder of them entertained me with the history of the lady, till we reached home. The following day I thought I would engage my chronicler on some other interesting matters, and I led the subject to Rome and the Cardinals. "You are acquainted," I said to him, "with the major part of the Roman cardinals, especially, I suppose, with such as are friendly to the Holy Office." "I know them all, both friends and enemies, if not personally, at least by reputation; and of every one of them I could, if you wished it, give all the circumstances of their lives, from their birth to the present day. You may rest assured that a Jesuit, after ten years' experience, unless he chance to be a stupid fellow, in which case he is soon expelled from the Society, ought to know far more than the most expert and practised officer of police. For my own part, I am conscious that I possess a certain dexterity in these matters; and it is on this account that I have been sent into various places, and entrusted with so many commissions. I cannot, however, imagine why they have kept me seven years in Tivoli, doing nothing but what my office as professor of moral theology requires, to settle cases of conscience. Still they have given me my degree (_il grado_),[29] and I imagine I shall shortly be called to Rome, to attend to other matters." "To be one of the twelve who every morning at an early hour occupy the confessionals at the _Gesu_!!" The Jesuit smiled significantly, as much as to say, "I believe so." "But tell me, my dear master," I rejoined, "would you not be more useful in other matters? How well you could impart instruction in Greek and Roman literature, not only my testimony, but that of all your other pupils, might be brought forward to prove. You direct the studies of youth with so much judgment! Besides, that is an occupation, as I understand it, worthy of a Jesuit. But to go about spying into other people's affairs, to serve the Inquisition and the Court of Rome, is an employment that God may perhaps pardon you for exercising, but society never will."