“As things were thus, the poor gentleman died and passed away from this _misera vita_ or sad life, and Piovano was in deep grief for his loss, and as much for the poor orphans. “When the note fell due, the manufacturer went to Piovano Arlotto and asked for his money, saying that he only demanded what was justly due to him. “And after a few days’ delay, he paid the man two-thirds of the sum, and ten florins for the time and trouble, and said he would not give a farthing more. Then the dealer begun to dun him, but he evaded every demand. Then the merchant employed a young man, eighteen years of age, who had not his equal in Florence to collect debts. And this youth set to work in earnest to get from the priest the sum of about twenty-eight gold florins, still due from the account. “In a few days he had attacked Piovano a hundred times with the utmost impudence, in the market, in the public squares, on the streets at home, and in the church, without regard to persons present, at all times, and in every aggravating way, until the priest conceived a mortal hatred of the dun, and turned over in his head many ways to get rid of him. “At last he went one day to the Abbot of San Miniato or Monte, and said to him: ‘_Padre reverendo_, I seek your paternal kindness to relieve a very distressing case in which I am concerned. I have a nephew who is possessed by the devil, one into whom an evil spirit has entered, and who has a monomania that I owe him money, and is always crying to me everywhere, ‘When are you going to pay me? I want twenty-eight florins.’ ’Tis a great pity, for he is a fine young man, and something really ought to be done to cure him. Now I know that the holy relic which you possess, the worthy head of the glorious and gracious San Miniato, has such a virtue, that, if it be once placed on the head of this poor youth, ’twill certainly cure him. Would you so contrive, in any way, to put it on him some time this week?’ “The Abbot answered, ‘Bring him when you will.’ “Piovano thanked him and said: ‘I will bring him on Saturday, but when he shall be here, I pray you be at the gate with seven or eight strong men, that he may not escape; for you know, holy father, that these demoniacs are accustomed to rage when they see relics and hear prayers, and it will be specially so with this poor youth, who is young and vigorous—yea, it may be that ’twill be necessary to give him sundry cuffs and kicks, so terrible is the power of Satan—_lupus esuriens_. Do so, I pray, without fearing to hurt my feelings—nay, it would be a great pleasure to me, so heartily do I desire to see him cured.’ “The Abbot answered, ‘Bring him here, my son, and I will see that all is rightly done.’ “Piovano returned, saying to himself: “‘Chi vuol giusta vendetta, In Dio la metta.’ “‘Leave vengeance to the Lord, or to his ministers—_videlicet_, the monks of San Miniato. Which I will do.’