"Well, everywhere," said Father Antonio; and then, recollecting his young friend, he suddenly turned and said,-- "Let me present to you one son who comes to seek your instructions,--the young Signor Agostino, of the noble house of Sarelli." The Superior turned to Agostino with a movement full of a generous frankness, and warmly extended his hand, at the same time fixing upon him the mesmeric glance of a pair of large, deep blue eyes, which might, on slight observation, have been mistaken for black, so great was their depth and brilliancy. Agostino surveyed his new acquaintance with that mingling of ingenuous respect and curiosity with which an ardent young man would regard the most distinguished leader of his age, and felt drawn to him by a certain atmosphere of vital cordiality such as one can feel better than describe. "You have ridden far to-day, my son,--you must be weary," said the Superior, affably,--"but here you must feel yourself at home; command us in anything we can do for you. The brothers will attend to those refreshments which are needed after so long a journey; and when you have rested and supped, we shall hope to see you a little more quietly." So saying, he signed to one or two brothers who stood by, and, commending the travellers to their care, left the apartment. In a few moments a table was spread with a plain and wholesome repast, to which the two travellers sat down with appetites sharpened by their long journey. During the supper, the brothers of the convent, among whom Father Antonio had always been a favorite, crowded around him in a state of eager excitement. "You should have been here the last week," said one; "such a turmoil as we have been in!" "Yes," said another,--"the Pope hath set on the Franciscans, who, you know, are always ready enough to take up with anything against our order, and they have been pursuing our father like so many hounds." "There hath been a whirlwind of preaching here and there," said a third,--"in the Duomo, and Santa Croce, and San Lorenzo; and they have battled to and fro, and all the city is full of it." "Tell him about yesterday, about the ordeal," shouted an eager voice.