"Attention." "At ease." "Captain Fuentes is requested to read the sentence again." "Read it in Italian, so that also the defendants can be aware of it." "The named Bolognese citizens, Petronio Veri, albino Quilici, and Venanzio Redi,.." "guilty of battering José Ferrer, soldier of the second fusilier company,.." "are sentenced to ten strokes of rope." "The judgment..." " One moment." "I have pondered on the extent and severity of the verdict." "Such verdict must match the seriousness of the offense." "But must also admonish the turbulent Bolognese people,.." "to have a more correct behavior towards the arms.." "and insignia of His Catholic Majesty the King of Spain." "Therefore, I have decided,.." "I repeat, after long meditation,.." "to ask this military council, to increase from 10 to 20, the strokes of rope." "Your soldier was drunk and..." "Carry out the sentence." "We want to be judged by a Bolognese tribunal." "You are murderers." "This military council is adjourned." "Have our patrols gone out?" " They're going out now, Excellency." "Did you warn the patrol chiefs that from tonight they will act as city police?" "Yes, Your Excellency." "You're responsible for it personally." "Enough." "Carlo, shut the window." "One would say you're pleased, to hear this kind of music." "Well, what you look at?" "You like the drums of the Spaniards?" "I feel like following a funeral." "I dare remind Your Eminence that,.." "from tonight, the Spanish troops have taken on the functions of the constable." "I well know." "That is why I'm talking of funeral." "The funeral of the liberty of our Bologna." "You, dear canon, hadn't understood, huh?" "With all your Machiavellian intellect." "Sad times." "With your permission, I will dispatch this letter." "Be careful, you saw whom is it for?" " Mr. de Montesquieu, Paris." "I wish I could be this letter." "To meet Montesquieu." "Bravo." "That's how I like the young to talk." "Perhaps the canon does not entirely agree, but that's how I feel." "Montesquieu is among the few who know that these days.." "are coming to an end, and other times are soaring." "I, am a conservative." "Obscure are the ways of Providence, my dear canon." "Go, my son." "Here I am." "Hi, dad." " Going out even tonight?" "A service for the cardinal." " Don't be late though." " Alright." "Eminence, senator Davia asks to be received by Your Eminence." "At this hour?" "What happened?" "Alright, let him in." "But..." " What?" " Dinner is ready, the broth is getting cold." "Better, so you drink more quickly." "Come on, let him in." "Dear painter, it's not my fault, huh?" "Too bad." "From now on you had better take Costanzo as a model." "Posterity don't care to know if who's dead had the nose this or that way, huh?" "Your Eminence is the most restless model that I ever had." "Countess Rocca SibaIda..." "Oh, that." "First of all, she's a paragon of virtue, isn't she?" "See you later, Zanotti." "How well they can pose, these aristocrats, huh?" "They're always posing." "Eminence." " Oh, my dearest." "But aren't you at the Orsi party?" "All your Senate colleagues assured me they will vote for you." "So, your place is there, tonight." "The party's just a rehearsal of the vote that occurs at midnight, so, go there." "And yet I'm here to tell you that I have no intention of being the Gonfalonier." "Oh, great." "That's what happens." "For our poor Bologna, it takes a man like you." "With no ambition, sincere, resolute." " But I'm an atheist." "Not at all." "Who denies God, admits Him." " I am a priest eater." "Good, you must have an iron stomach." "May I?" "No, thanks, I don't have this vice." " If it were a vice, you would have it." "I know you're not a saint, however, you are not corrupt." "Just for this I do not wish to live among my peers." "As a senator, well..." "inasmuch I never go to meetings." "But not as Gonfalonier..." "No, I would be obliged." "No." "I prefer to stay in my farms at Pianoro, among the peasants, who are good people." "But city dwellers are good people too." "And, poor them, are forced to endure a lot of abuse." "And to see foreign troops roam the streets of their city." "But who called these troops?" "Your Pope." " Enough." "Sit down, canon." "And why did he call them?" "Because the city government lacks men." "Men with..." "Yes, I mean, real men." "If the city proved to be able to govern with seriousness, honesty,.." "the troops would end up becoming useless and would be pulled back." "Instead, you pull back." "You know how that's called?" "Desertion, my dear Count." "What can a single man do, at Bologna's government?" "It takes the Holy Inquisition for 6 months." "Why mingle Inquisition and government?" "You are confusing soul and tortellini." "You must excuse me, but this time you really pulled it out of me." "When he makes that face, resembles the Duke of Montimar." " Yes, true." "Well." "As for you, Count, don't think of me but, rather of our BoIogna." "You always have a convincing argument, Your Eminence." "So then..." "I obey." "Good." "Help." "You Spanish bastard." "Run." "Cabròn." " Coward." "Swine." "You want more?" "You had enough?" "Go back to your country." "They assaulted the sergeant." " Chase him." "Eventually my stepmother thinks that Carlo follows her everywhere." "But he's following you." "Aren't you two cheeky?" "You know that also tonight he was at the sermon?" "Dreamer." "You father and the other one will never allow you to marry him." "But why?" "Because a Rocca SibaIda cannot marry the son of the Cardinal's valet." "But a duke, yes, huh?" "Even if she can't stand him." "You think I didn't notice my stepmother's intrigues?" "It didn't suffice her to become a countess by marrying my poor dad." "Respect your dad." "I do." "It's her who doesn't respect him." " Hush." "Lady Countess says she's at Orsi house, and that mademoiselle can go to bed." "Maria." "I'm going to prepare your bed for the night." "Prepare my dreams too." " Is there any need?" "Enough with the fruit." " Yes, nanny." "carlo." "You shouldn't have come." "How did you have the courage?" "It's not courage, it's fear." "I didn't know..." "I'm coming now." " Run." "Go now, dear, I'll take care." "Come in." "Ready, dear?" "And you are ready?" " Well, I think so." "I also have a new wig that arrived today from Paris." "Too bad that from Paris they don't also send new heads." "And why?" "I have the noble head of a senator." "If you're happy with it..." "Would you be so kind?" " Sure." "Do you realize the importance of tonight's party?" "A party is just a party." "We'll dance, and then we'll eat..." "You see that you are not ready, here?" "The party ends at midnight, then there is the election of the new Gonfalonier." "Oh yes, that's true." "I forgot about that." " Yes?" "I heard that they will all vote for Davia." "I too will vote for him." "Goffredo, you really want to make me unhappy, dear." "But I can't vote for you." " No, but for yourself, you can." "No, ridiculous, I'd have only one vote, and they would understand it's mine." "No, Gabriella." "You'll have also the vote of the others." " It never happened in 5 years." "Because I had not entered the field." " Well." "And how will you do?" "Don't be indiscreet, please." "I only ask you, if you see me with some senator, to go somewhere else." "I've always done it." "Then rest assured that this skirt will beat that of the Cardinal." "You didn't wear the decoration of Isabel the Catholic." "Come on, put it on." "Montimar is at the party, and when you're elected Gonfalonier,.." "Montimar, with his troops, will be very useful to us." "Do you understand?" "Go and put the decoration on." "Sometimes I think..." " No, please." "Do you really think?" "Do not boast." "I love parlor games." "They are the only true emotions for classy people." "Let me see if I can guess..." "Our dearest and witty Abbot Cavalcanti,.." "who comes to catch his friend GabrieIIa while she's dressing..." "Or it's quick-witted playwright Casti,.." "jealous, and curious of pillow talk..." "Is not enough to follow me through the streets of bologna, young man?" "I'll throw you out." " Don't do it, please." "I will do it, instead." "Who are you?" " My name is Carlo Barozzi, I graduated in law last year." "Nonsense." "Some people are always right and some are always wrong." "I see no need for a lawyer." "You believe in privileges, but some believe in justice." " Sure." "Now, for example, it would be just if I rang the bell and made you throw out." "But I won't do it." "Because you have the privilege of the sauciness,.." "of the youth, and and also of the liking." "Why do you follow me everywhere since months?" "It shouldn't be hard to understand, I think." "A lawyer." "Just what I missed." "I'm really ready." "Here, and here." "I think I don't know this gentleman." "Dear, will you introduce me?" "Your... secretary." " Oh, it's my... pleasure." "From tomorrow you'll be very busy with government,.." "so I wanted to surprise you with this." "He is a lawyer." "Or, who else will write your speeches?" " You're right as usual." "And, what's my secretary's name?" " carlo Barozzi, Count." "Barozzi?" " Yes." " Well." "Then you'll take service from...tonight?" " Tomorrow morning." "Tomorrow." "Have you talked to the Countess for your fees?" "Yes, he said he leaves it to me." "You won't be disappointed, Carlo." "Shall we go?" " Please." "This is Carlo Barozzi, your father's secretary." "From tomorrow he'll live here in the palace." "The young Countess Maria, my step-daughter." "Sweet dreams, my dear." "I didn't know you had a secretary." " Neither did I." "Nanny." "Nanny." "Oh, you're both here, huh?" "Well." "Politics...always politics." "You were saying?" "That not even the snow on the Sierra Nevada has such a dazzling whiteness." "And I bet the outline of the mountains is not as gentle." "You could find a compliment a little less cold." "Volcanoes have snow too." "I didn't think that..." "I was sure he wouldn't come." "Who invited him?" "That was the mistake, not to invite him." "That's why he came." "Always be the first to face the enemy." "Right, general?" "That's the enemy uniform that I would most fear to find before me." "Why?" "Because he uses invisible weapons." "I beg your pardon, Eminence." "My duties as host summon me elsewhere." "Please." " Look, Eminence,.." "how beautiful the diamond cross that marquise Gozzadini has on her breast." "Imagine how I felt." "Beautiful, the cross." "But she has also a beautiful..." "Bless you." " Thank you." "Marquise Gozzadini, back in bologna already?" "Eminence, I'm no longer Marquise Gozzadini." " Why?" "The poor Marquis..." "No, the supreme ecclesiastical court has ruled him a...useless husband." "Marriage annulled." " It seems these marriage nullifications are on the rise." "I beg your pardon, my escort is waiting for me." " Please." "Evidently, there are so many husbands tired of unfaithful wives,.." "that, just to get rid of them, maybe they'd rather...appear useless." "Dear Countess, how are you?" "Dear duke, I'm concerned for your soldiers' souls." "I heard the drums tonight." "If they walk around Bologna on patrol all night,.." "how can they come to Mass in the morning?" "They'll come to Mass tomorrow, Eminence, even if I had to whip them." "You use your whip a bit too much." "For example, if your husband whipped you, beautiful lady, would you love him more?" "Who knows?" "Maybe I would." "Oh." "Well." "Oh, women." "There won't be a separate hell for women, Eminence?" "Else, what sort of Hell is it?" "I'll feel at home there." "Don't worry, to each his own hell." "For heretics like you, the punishment could be to listen for eternity.." "to Abbot CavaIcanti's sermons." "Oh no." "In the morning, I'm going to Confession." "Excuse me." "And now to work, dear canon, the smell of battle is in the air." "Carlo did well to tell me." "Provided he won't become part of the collection of the countess." "With whom shall we start?" " Maybe with Senator PepoIi." "Right." "I am troubled and distressed." "Your words, countess, have really.." "convinced... and inflamed me." "I really care about the fate of my friend Goffredo." "I...understand your concern." "Oh, so then?" "I shall vote for him." "Do I have your word?" " Count on it." "But, why no more dances?" "The cardinal is here..." "Precisely for this." "He'd feel certainly sorry if he had come to be the killjoy." "Tell them to play a jig." "What did you say?" "Yes..." "Excuse me." "Maestro, please, play a jig." "The only doubt about Davia, was due to his scarce...how can I say?" "... ...tenderness towards the clergy." "Oh, don't worry about that." "The city doesn't need a Gonfalonier pushing people to Mass every morning." "In case, I take care of it myself." "I hope Your Eminence will grant me to steal my cavalier for this jig." "But, of course." "The marquis cannot have doubts on the choice." "A beautiful woman is always preferable to an old priest." "But, we must even watch the dance?" "And why not?" "I'm interested to see how skillful Countess Rocca SibaIda is." "As a...dancer?" "Also." "It's really a pity that I too can't do a round, huh?" "Eminence." "Well, what did I say?" "." "I'd give anything if this time my husband had at least one vote." "As moral satisfaction." "What do mean by 'anything'?" "I'll let your discretion imagine it." " I'm not very discreet." "Better so." "I'll tell you that I was counting on it." "I am ready for anything, as long as my husband takes at least one vote." "Is it a formal promise?" " Yes, I'll prove to you." "Thank you." "What is it?" "You'll see, now jumps out of the story of Carlo with the Spanish sergeant." "Stop the dance." "All officers must return to barracks." "Gather all the senators." "Tell them that I must speak." "I wasn't wrong." " This is it." "Officer's report." "Lords senators, follow me." "I forecast serious troubles." "No, don't always be pessimistic, canon." "I wonder if this is a good opportunity to give a nice lesson.." "to that Spanish bully." "Here I am, gentlemen." "Availing myself of the functions you conferred on me,.." "and of the powers bestowed by her Majesty,.." "I warn you that I am giving the following orders,.." "not for you to discuss them, but for your information." "The senate of Bologna has never fallen so low.." "as to suffer the indignity of the impairment of its freedom." "I refuse to listen." "Is there anyone else who wishes to follow Count Davia?" "And face the consequences thereof?" "No?" "A very grave accident happened tonight in the Rosadella suburb,.." "and I ordered my troops to surround the suburb itself,.." "and the culprits be handed over immediately." "Otherwise, I will proceed to taking of hostages." "Here is the first hostage." "Parties do such an effect on you, dear Duke?" " My soldiers, Eminence,.." "have been provoked to a real battle." "It may have been really so, but in truth,.." "your soldiers must have also given grounds for provocation, in some way." "Nonsense... a girl..." "But a Spanish soldier..." "Hum...has the right to everything, huh?" "We have our land always invaded by the French, the Germans, the Spanish,.." "by people of all races coming to plunder us with grace." "And as if that weren't enough, they want to kill us, too." "Come on, if we came to your country to dishonor your wives or your daughters,.." "you'd put up more than a battle against us." "And you'd be right." "I have the duty to defend the honor of the Spanish arms." "But it can't be defended with blood of innocent,.." "of which later you'd have to account for, huh?" "But not to the Bologna Senate, that does not deal with such things but, to God,.." "lord Duke." "Who, incidentally, may call you at any moment." "So then?" "So be it." "I shall withdraw the order." "I've always said so, huh?" "That Spaniards are good guys." "I wish Your Eminence did not misunderstand." "Mine is a sentiment of pity, not of weakness." "Isn't there room for another sentiment.." "in the magnanimous breast of a Spanish general?" " Which one?" "Justice." "And now come with me, let us show ourselves together." "They were so frightened." "And now they'll calm down, you'll see." "Come on, smile." "Come, Duke, come with me." "Come on, you too." "Smile." "Yes, sure, I knew it." "All would have ended well." "No, you may go to sleep, canon, it's late." "Thank you, Eminence." " Good night." "You, knock off, huh?" " Alright, Your Eminence." "Good night." " Dear Costanzo." "I kept the broth warm, Eminence." " Good." "I'm thinking, your son Carlo has too many temptations at Rocca Sibalda house." "At Rocca Sibalda house?" "I don't understand." "But I do." "What is it, Don Tinti?" "A dying woman, Your Eminence." "BoIogna is full of priests." "Call one of them." "I've knocked at the door of three priests,.." "when they recognized me they closed it in my face." "And I cannot administer sacraments, you know why." "Your dinner, Your Eminence." "Well, it will wait." "Is it far?" " No, around the corner." "Lead, Costanzo." "Thank you." "Please, Your Eminence." "She's my mother." "I understand all." "Now your broth comes useful." "Go home and bring the whole pot." " I'll be back shortly, Your Eminence." "Do you live here?" " Yes." "When did she eat last?" " Well..." "The Archbishop." " Easy, easy." "You were suspended from administering sacraments.." "two months ago, right?" "Three, Your Eminence." "She was already sick,.." "when you subtracted that bit of money.." "from the poor box?" "Yes." "You were the poorest of your poor." "Enough." "You are a priest again, now." "In the future, you won't have to worry anymore." "The parish of Pianoro awaits you." "She will have two priests for her vigil, tonight." "Your Eminence, have you heard the great news?" "We have a new Gonfalonier." "They elected him a few minutes ago." "Are you happy?" " Yes, Eminence, we'll have a big pork roast." "Pork aside, are you happy that was elected Count Davia?" "But they elected as Gonfalonier Count Rocca SibaIda, Eminence." "Count Rocca SibaIda, as Gonfalonier?" "And all because of that damn woman." "Good day." " Eminence..." "Mr. Secretary." "I have a great secret to confide to you." "I bet it's the same as mine." "I love you so, I'd give my life for you." "I do too." "Only since you've been here, this house seems to be really mine." "It won't be for long, we'll have our own house." "Not as beautiful as this one, and with only one portrait, yours." "The history of our family will begin with you." "And if they force you to marry Montimar?" "We'll elope together." " Really?" "Would you be ready to do it?" " Yes." "The countess awaits you upstairs." "Then purchase the sonnets of the abbot." " It shall be done." "She says she wants to read my speech, no, that is, yours,... in short, ours." "I meant to ask you which dress to wear for tonight's party." " The night gown." "What?" " Yes, tonight you'll go to bed at 8." " But..." " No but." "Indeed, tonight you won't move from bed no matter what happens, clear?" "And tonight, above all, don't look out the window, no matter what you hear." "You, what you doing here?" "The countess is waiting." "Go." "Excuse me, dad..." " There is nothing to excuse, go." "But..." " But what but." "I said." "Go." "Just thinking of tonight, I'm getting a headache..." "'Gentle dames, cavaliers, in my new position of Gonfalonier of...'" "Well, well." "I'm sure you wrote an excellent speech." "Thank you." "So?" "You devoured me for months with your eloquent eyes,.." "and now that I'm next to you,.." "you can't even say a word?" "Young, timid lawyer..." "It's..." "It is such an honor for me to live under your roof, that.." "that it suffices." "You are easy to please, for a young man of your age." "I'd be curious to know what you think of me." "It's a legitimate curiosity, don't you think?" "I want to know.." "what kind of woman I am." "Exquisite, I'd say." "Oh no, if also my little lawyer begins to be gallant.." "like Abbot CavaIcanti..." "How do you judge me?" "Vain?" "Shrewd?" "Sensual?" "No, you're not a young witty man." "It's really true that courage comes from race." " What race?" "That of the dimwit nobles who surround you?" "What courage should have a son of that people that you've held under a whip?" "Whenever one of us found a spark of courage,.." "you would throw him to jail, at least." "And you, then, are an exception?" "No, just one of the first ones." "Many more are finding courage,.." "and even more will find it." "Really?" "I'll keep it in mind." "If some things will work the way they're supposed to work, tonight." "There's something odd tonight." "After the pork roast and the broth, they usually throw to the people.." "chickens, sweets, and many other good things." "Instead, I got the order to not prepare anything and not throw anything." "Why?" "It's as if the party of the people were supposed to stop suddenly." "I wonder, what will they give to the people after the broth, tonight?" "Let there be many squads but with few men,.." "positioned in places not too near the square." "Intervene and shoot on the people only at my pistol shot from the window." "Once cleared the square,.." "stand guard around the palace of the Gonfalonier." "And a squad of 20 men will go up into the apartment." "Yes, Excellency." "Everything will work out perfectly." "Go on." " It's really true, tonight." "That's why I ran here." "And I worked as procurer,.." "with due respect, for marquises and countesses." "And I helped Count Orsi's nephew to flee when he wounded BeccadaIIi." "But what Countess Rocca SibaIda told me, I don't feel like doing it." "Inciting people in square to force their way into the palace of the Gonfalonier,.." "and assault the hall and the people." "Not this." "What would happen to us afterwards, I wonder?" "I know what would happen to you." "I understood this well." "How many will be in the square?" "Two thousand souls." "Then, canon, tonight we need a dinner for two thousand souls." "Each with a strong stomach, of course." "But, where?" " Where?" "Here." "What do we have it for, this huge archbishop palace?" "But how do we prepare such a dinner?" "You have no imagination, canon." "Listen to me well." "How many monks and nuns do we have in our convents, Bologna and surroundings?" "Two thousand and one hundred?" " One hundred too many." "Then, order that tonight they'll do penance.." "in honor of St. Francis, protector of the poor,.." "and that the meals prepared in the convents be brought here to the palace.." "before the Angelus." "You understand well?" "There." "You, go there and wait, I'll tell you what you must do." "May the Lord forgive your ugly sins by this good deed." "It's not a good deed, it's the fruit of common sense." "And you think it's nothing?" "I am sure the Lord likes the common sense of the Bolognese." "Otherwise why would He have sent me to be their bishop?" "But, they will steal all our forks." "Dear canon,.." "if they should come and ask, one day, for our carriages, our candelabrums,.." "saying that, a bit, it's their stuff too,.." "what could we ever answer?" "Go, go." "As for the forks, they will leave us even with too many." "So, let's do our battle plan." "How many men can you get?" "Half a dozen." "Trusty people?" " Very trusty, Eminence." "All grown up in jail with me." "So, you and your men,.." "take stand in the courtyard strategic points,.." "some near the well, some by the gate of Piazza Maggiore,.." "and some others on the other side." "And, at some point..." "How about this?" "When they throw the food off the window, I climb on your shoulders,.." "and the first piece of roast pig we share it." " Alright." "I have an informer in the kitchen:" "they're at the fruit,.." "then there's sweets, the toasts..." "That's the window." "Shall we put it out now?" " Idiot." "The drape must be put when we throw the roast pig and the broth." "It's early now." "They're still eating." "It's three hours that they're eating." "I wonder where they put all that food." "Such elegance as not even in Paris can be seen." "Troops are ready, Excellency." "Go to your detachment, and remember the signal." "The roast pork is poisoned." " Who poisoned it?" " The Spaniards." "To avenge what happened last night in the RosadeIIa suburb." "Did you see them, with weapons in their hands?" "Yes, they were behind San Petronio." "The Spaniards were all there, it's true." "They are so many." "And all with rifles." "Let's go." "Shall we witness the massacre of our children?" "Let's go and ask for justice to whom only can give it." "Follow me." "I raise my glass to the happiness of all present,.." "and to the prosperity of our Bologna." "Long live our Gonfalonier." "Let the roast pork enter." "For the people." "Oh, here is the broth." " What a bath." "Did you put the tortellini?" " Plenty." "Shall I show the drape?" "Let it be shown." "God." "What's happening?" "Eminence." " Yes." " The crowd, down in the square...is no longer there." "How can it be?" " I don't know." "He disappeared." "Hey, you, up there." "Throw something, damn it." "And the roast pork, throw it into this." "I'm hungry." "I've been waiting half a day." "I'm coming now." "Are you convinced now that it was possible to prepare in a.." "few hours a dinner for so many people?" "I'm convinced that one should always obey his superiors." "But, you know what was brewing, canon?" "No, not just the broth." "I reconstrued it piece by piece, thanks also to our carlo." "Having pushed the people to attack,.." "the Spanish troops intervened to save the senate." "The Senate appoints, in gratitude, Montimar honorary citizen of bologna,.." "and in a few days, with Spanish bayonets in the loins,.." "Rocca SibaIda nominated Gonfalonier for life." "What do you say?" "Had planned it well, the countess, huh?" "Your Eminence." " Cheer up, canon." "They eat with relish." "And they were all listening to me.." "when I was saying:" "'The pork roast is poisoned.'" "'The Spaniards are coming.'" "Remain seated..." "May I try it?" " Please." "They eat tasty sauces, in our convents." "Better tortellini Bolognese style, than lead Spanish style, is not it children?" "TorteIIini Bolognese style." "Long live the Cardinal." "There is still hope?" " Actually, none." "Indeed,.." "if I may venture an advice,.." "it'd be appropriate if Your Eminence prepares to leave." "Some cardinals are in Rome already." " No, I won't prepare anything." "I still assume that His Holiness Clement XIII will outlive me." "And so,..." "I hope." "They took me for a bird of ill omen." "Go to Rome to do what?" "No way." "Better instead to pray God's mercy for His Holiness." "Yet, Eminence, if you go to Rome for the conclave,.." "you'll never return to Bologna." "You'll become Pope." "No my dear, I too much want to go to heaven." "And in this, I agree with Pius V, who said:" "'As a priest, I had great hope to go there." "I doubted it as a cardinal." "I despaired, as pope.'" "What is that?" " A go-ahead." "A go-ahead...." "Damn that woman." "Did you read it?" "It's conform." " Conform?" "." "But, conform my foot." "What do I care if it has seal and counter-seal." "Come on." "Do you know what is a matrimony?" "It is a sacrament..." " I know that well, I hope." "But it also hides intrigues, murky alliances, foul deeds." "I mean, the design is clear, isn't it?" "How?" "To turn her husband into Gonfalonier for life, that ambitious woman will tie to.." "Montimar and his soldiers." "Her first try went wrong and the roast pork got stuck here." "Now, to tie him, she lets him marry her stepdaughter." "Clear." "Eminence, can you deny the go-ahead?" "No, I can't." "That's why I'm mad." "On what ground can I deny it?" " And so?" "What, and so?" "Although I cannot stop people from using a sacrament.." "for their schemes, allow me at least to get mad." "Yes." "Prospero Lambertini..." "Duly signed, sealed, and licensed by the civil and ecclesiastical authorities.." "of the free city.." "of the free city of bologna,.." "I, Pietro MaIvezzi, notary, proceed to read the marriage contract the terms thereof contain, first:" "the lands near Ozzano, known by the name of San Patrizio Property." "second: the houses in Bologna.." "located in Saragozza district, for a verified total of 172 rooms." "Third: a payment of 50,000 Ducats to be given to the groom.." "before the ceremony on the wedding day,.." "which is appointed for Sunday 29 of this month." "Forgive my interruption." "Before signing the contract,..." "this thing is coming so suddenly..." "Your will is certainly ours, dear daughter." "In fact, it is not you who must sign, but your father and the groom." "I know." "But, the honor of becoming Duchess of Montimar, is such.." "that I would like to be prepared to welcome it.." "with all the impulse of my heart." "You'll have time, my girl, from now till the day of the ceremony." "Then, I would like to retire, with your permission,.." "and begin to think about it." "Maria." " Sure, why not please her?" "I would like three days time." "So, for all my life, I'll know that I myself decided for my happiness." "Won't you regret it later, when you think of the life you have left.." "and compare it with the very different one I can offer you?" "Tell me, won't you regret it?" "You don't love me anymore." " But you say?" " No, you don't love me anymore." "If you fear for me, it means that you fear for yourself now." "That something, or someone, has changed your feelings." "You're crazy." "I must tell you these things." "I can't elope with a little girl." "I want to elope with a woman." "Look at me." "On this matter you can rest assured." "And then she said:" "'I like that boy, Piero, very much.'" "Did she really say so?" " Yes." "And she blushed as red as her hands, always red for the dishes she washes." "Really?" "I didn't notice that she..." "She's crazy for you." "Crazy, I tell you." "And then, what windowsills, huh?" "They look like mine, like the balconies of AIdrovandi Palace." "What are you staring at?" "Go." "We'll have a night of advantage." "When they'll notice, we'll be out of the Papal States, towards Milan." "It's important though..." "We will detail everything tomorrow night when I return." "At midnight in nanny's room." " Yes." " Till tomorrow night, honey." "Good morning, sir." " Good morning." "How are the hooves?" "Like the balconies of AIdrovandi Palace." " Huh?" "Sorry, Sir carlo, but today is the most beautiful day of my life." "I was saying, she has four new horseshoes." "Good." "Then take her to the garden gate." "I'll be right down." " Yes sir." "I'm very worried." "I don't know what to do at the counsel this morning." "This morning?" "True, as every morning." "The owner of the mills complain for the tax, they say it's too high." "Lower it, and increase the price of wheat." " What?" "We must still sell our crop, this way we'll all be happy." "Ingenious." "I will make a splendid impression." "My luck is to have a wife like you." "And mine is to have a husband..." "like you." "At the Countess orders." "Our secretary is always so polite." "Come forward." "Sit." "You have much respect for me, don't you?" "Very much." "Too much." "You can offend a woman in two ways:" "respecting her... or disrespecting her." "All women prefer the second." "I would never dare because..." " Oh, please." "Don't pretend you're shy, you're not." "Give me your hand." "Palm dry and warm." "It's not the hand of a shy man." "You're undeed impulsive, fervent." "You said brutal things." "What's holding you?" "There is nothing that can hold me." "Tomorrow night I'll wait your return." "We'll be alone." "Nobody will disturb us here." "I'll wait for you." "Maria." "I saw you pass in fury, why are you weeping?" "What have they done yet?" "But didn't you agree with your Carlo?" "My carlo?" "Don't ever utter this name again." "Why, what happened?" "You scare me, speak up, tell your nanny." "I'm ready to do anything for you, you know that." "No nanny, you can't." "Nobody can do anything more for me." "The Mother Superior is waiting for us, she was informed by the Cardinal." "Is she coming?" " Yes, there's the Gonfalonier too." "Come." "Come." "Come daughter, Mother Superior is waiting for us." "As spiritual Father of the convent, I'll take care of Maria,.." "and shall inform the Cardinal that your daughter has entered convent." "Praised be Jesus Christ." " Forever and ever." "You may go to sleep." "It's late." "It's a cold supper and we don't need anybody." "Come here, you." "At your service, Countess." "Where was the Count's secretary going in such a rush?" "I don't know, Countess, I swear, he didn't tell me." "You talked to him." "What did you tell him?" "Speak or I'll have you thrown out." "I told him of Maria, that she wanted to enter the convent." "Of Maria?" "What did he care of Maria?" "Speak." "I don't know, I know nothing." "Don't lie or I'll have you flogged." "What's between him and Maria?" "You must tell me." "Come with me." "Sister, remember that we must die." "Sister, remember that we must die." "Sister novice, remember that we must die." "To die we must." "Sister, remember that we must die." "You?" "Go away." "Don't shout, are you crazy?" "You know that if find me, they hang me?" "Go away." "You're profaning everything." "The seclusion of a convent is like love." "You betray the most sacred things." "May God forgive you the evil you did to me." "I never stopped loving you, not even for a moment." "Don't lie any more." "Why have you come?" "Go to her, who is just right for you." " To her?" "I saw you with my own eyes." "You and my stepmother together." "And those words of yours..." "No, Maria." "I swear it's all a misunderstanding." " Daughter,.." "God reads within our hearts." "Don't disturb the other sisters." "Pray quietly." "Mother." "What is it, daughter?" "Nothing, Mother." "It's alright." "I'll pray with my heart." "Good morning, Eminence." " Good morning." " Already at work, as usual?" "Yes, after Mass I came here to write a few things." "What's all that stuff?" "The mail, Eminence." "Maybe people in Bologna have been writing too much, lately." "While we're at, to the monks of San Michele in Bosco.." "who demand a contribution to repair the bell tower struck by lightning,.." "reply that they should rather thank God's mercy,.." "because, had that lightning struck the kitchen or the refectory,.." "all those good monks ran the risk of being killed." "They eat all day." "They're so fat." "Should see them, look like thrushes." "Costanzo, what happened?" "Your Eminence, if you knew..." "What is it?" "You're giving me anxiety." "I'll tell you all, but..." "At good last." "As in Confession." "Ouch." "Canon Peggi, if you please." "So..." "Calm down now..." "and tell me everything." "What's happened?" "A ruin, Eminence." "My son..." " What did he do?" "He spent the night here, in the palace chapel." "Well, so far, nothing evil." "But he's not alone, he's with a woman." " With a woman?" "In the chapel?" "He said that by all means tonight he'd elope with her out of the Papal States." "And would marry her." "And meanwhile to be safe..." "I finish the story he took her to the Archbishop's house." "Your son really did a good deed." "Congratulations, for you too." "For God's sake, don't reproach me, Eminence." "You're right, poor old man." "It's no fault of yours." "But what need is there to elope." "God always blesses the union of two honest lovers." "I don't get." "You don't know the rest." " Is there more?" "God cannot bless this union." " Why?" "carlo took away that girl tonight from the Corpus Domini convent." "He did that?" " Yes." "I loved him and reared him up as if he were of my family." "But he mustn't think that I'll be accomplice of his crime." "And who is she?" "The daughter of Count Rocca SibaIda." "Oh, great." "The one to whom had broken out the vocation." "Then the young man is set." "He'll have against him the police, the Spaniards and the Holy Office." "So he went to Rocca SibaIda house to do the secretary.." "on purpose to prepare the crime." "Isn't that so?" "I don't know..." "I don't think so..." " You too lie, very well." "How could I?" "In Confession?" "Well, in Confession, true." "So I'm told all this nice stuff, and I can tell nothing." "As if it were not the constable's task, to hang your son." " Eminence, no." "Come on, I said the constable, not me." "Where are those two, now?" " In my room." "What?" "Together?" "But, at least this, should have been avoided." "I need to question them." " I'll lead them here right away." "Come." "Nobody must see them." "I'll come upstairs." "But first we must prevent the news to propagate from the convent." "It would take..." "Call canon Peggi." "Have you called me, Eminence?" "Perfect." "Difficult situation, I'd say, Your Eminence." "Definitely less difficult than convincing you not to listen at doors." "You believe so?" "If I didn't, afterwards, you'd have to tell me all." "It is my duty to let you save time and breath." "He always wants to be right, huh." "Well, sit down, and write." "Eminence." " What is it?" "Eminence, the chaplain of the Corpus Domini is here." "He's breathless and anxious." "He says something terrible happened." "Take time, eminence." "Tell him to come later." "Sure, so in an hour all of Bologna will know what happened." "Let him in." "At once, Eminence." "Costanzo, reach those two scoundrels." "I'll come soon." "Alright, Eminence." "Eminence." "Eminence." "Something terrible." "Something terrible." "I ran, but what happened is so grave..." "Now calm down, shut up, and sit there." "I'm dictating an urgent injunction to canon Peggi." "But it is something exceptional..." " Shut up, be good, go there and sit." "We, the Cardinal Archbishop etc..." "usual set phrase." "So that the upcoming feasts for Our Redeemer may be properly observed,.." "we order.." "that the spiritual exercises should commence immediately,.." "and in particular we order,.." "to all those who are in the monastery of the Corpus Domini Sisters,.." "from the noble Mother Superior..." " Eminence." " Yes?" "The Superior is noble?" " Why not, she'll be pleased, poor old woman." "up to those who even momentarily are there within it,.." "we order, for three days, spiritual exercises,.." "during which nobody will be allowed to exit,.." "observing, beside the fast, the most rigorous silence,.." "so that the minds be recollected in prayer only." "Date... etc. etc..." "What is it, then?" " Eminence, something happened..." "What is it about?" "I, as spiritual father, feel all the gravity..." " Okay, I understand, speak." "Eminence." " What?" " They have abducted a novice." "Phew." "From your frightened look, I had thought they had abducted a monk." "You heard what I dictated to canon Peggi?" " Yes, Eminence, sure." "Now you know my orders." " Yes, sure, Your Eminence, but..." "What but, what but.?" "But a fig." "I don't tolerate disobedience from anybody." "And it's best that for today you go to my chapel, and stay there to pray.,.." "for those who tonight have sinned so gravely." "Go and pray." "No kiss, go away." "Just look at that." "So the man, for today, won't speak." "Let me sign." "It's a big one, huh?" "But it's done, now." "But don't you think it ends so." "I'm sorry especially for His Eminence." "Your Eminence..." "Go wait for me in the open gallery." " I beg you, Eminence." "Eminence, I knew I'd give you and my father a great pain." "I regret of this only." "And for your great deed, no regret?" " But I love her." "Shouldn't I marry her just because she's noble and I'm not?" "Times have changed." " We are all equal." "Hear how she helps out." "What you trying to explain, Montesquieu or Voltaire?" "You'll explain to the constable." "When they'll hang you, and you'll be sent back to a convent." "And I..." "I won't be able to do anything at all." "I didn't abduct a nun." "I brought back to the world a maiden who took no vow." "But who did go to the convent, and on her own feet." "After convincing all that she had a vocation." "I thought Carlo didn't love me anymore." "Why didn't you say this was the reason?" "What can I do now?" "Bless you, marry you, and hide you in my palace?" "That's impossible." " Save her, at least, Eminence." "No, save him." "If I know he's safe, I gladly return to the convent." "Sure, waiting to be abducted again?" "No, I'll be happy to think of my carlo until death." "Our Lord will be flattered." "No..." "No, better a bad nun less." "And one good wife more." " Does all by herself, huh?" "I couldn't live without her." "I love him so much, Eminence." " I am willing to do anything to not lose her." "Our dream is to get married." "It's pleasing to see two people who love each other so much." "But, I say." "Look how they cling." "You don't think that I'll leave you together, do you?" "We'll do everything Your Eminence will order." "Because you already know that I'll do anything..." "So many worries for my Church, and I must also act as..." "What you make me say." "You go to your room, and don't let anyone see you." "And wait for my orders." " Yes, Eminence." "Young woman, here." "You wanted to follow the boy, huh?" "Thank you, Eminence." "You have the noblest heart in the world, Eminence." " After yours, of course." "Thank you, Eminence." " Thanks my foot." "I put myself in a mess with you, we're all up to our necks in it." " And so?" "So..." "Only one man could save us." "He can't care less for the Gonfalonier, he'd be happy to outwit the Spaniards." "Oh yes, he's the only one who can take such a responsibility." "And who is that?" " Count Davia, come on." "Tell him to come right away." "Go." " Yes, Eminence." "I've already abducted beautiful girls this way." "Only, I abducted them for myself, then." "But the fun part of such endeavors is always the spite that you do to others." "And this pleasure, I retain it." "You're adorable." " You think so?" "Not all have the same opinion, though." "Who knows where Carlo is now." " Don't worry." "We gave him peasant garments, a nice egg basket, and he'll soon be with us." "Huh?" "Oh, here we are." "Good morning." "Please." "We've arrived." "Here all are like children to me." "Consider yourself as such too." "Pianoro is at your feet." "Please." "Finally, also in name of my husband, the Gonfalonier,.." "I ask Your Eminence that Maria be handed back." "I already explained that her fate is subject to the Church authority,.." "that I represent." "But our daughter cannot..." "I note with pleasure that suddenly your heart is full of maternal feelings." "Not suddenly." "Your Eminence doesn't know the difficulty of a young step-mother.." "towards a step-daughter, no longer a child, but unruly and suspicious.." "because of an upbringing had from country people, honest, yes, but uncivilized." "Maria has always been hostile to me,.." "just for not being her mother." "Very well, this is a good opportunity to gain her affection." "And that is?" "Let the girl marry.." "her sweetheart." "Her...to him?" "Eminence, but it's you..." " I believe that this is also our Lord's opinion." "Who knows how many brides He would willingly send to marry.." "someone else." "But that's preposterous." "A Rocca SibaIda lady marrying a lackey's son." "I think I act for the good of Maria preventing her a rash act." "She might later reproach me and her father.." "for not having stopped her before marrying a plebeian." "A plebeian, sure, but.." "cherished, desired, by ladies of high rank, they say." "You see, if that be the case,.." "a bit of that nobility might even have remained stuck to him." "A son of servants, but who was about to have a good career." "In a short while, he'd have replaced your husband even in the affairs.." "the most delicate." "What do you mean?" "That as confessor, I'd be ready to excuse a girl who, for love's sake,.." "forgets the duties of her name,.." "but I would deny absolution to those good ladies.." "who remember to be noble only for vengeance's sake." "These good ladies will be careful not to come and confess with Your Eminence." "Better." "So they can go to hell with no need for me to send them." "So?" "So I will oppose with all my strengths that my step-daughter marry that man." "Always with the due respect to Your Eminence." "Really?" "You don't know what a woman is capable of." "I know it, I know." "And that's why I've always kept them at some distance." "Then, you refuse to ask Count Davia to return Maria?" "Oh, so you know she's at Pianoro?" "Everything becomes known, Your Eminence." "Yeah, everything gets to be known." "In short, what do you want?" "To lock again that girl in a convent?" "To divert the young man from his love?" "Let us be clear." "It's pointless to continue this conversation, Eminence." "I assure you that, had it been up to me, I wouldn't have even started it." "Be well, Madam." "He dared to make me wait an hour." " And you to come to me." "To whom should I have recourse?" " To your husband." "He's the city Gonfalonier, after all." "The only true strength is in your hands." "My family was offended." " I was offended." "I bow to a bride of Our Lord,.." "but she fled the next night." "With a lackey's son." "You love Maria?" "You know that marrying her was part of our plans." "There was no deceit, Montimar." "I hate her abductor more than you do." "Then why the guards haven't arrested him yet?" "Because those two are protected by a very powerful man." "The guards who went to arrest him were welcomed with lashes." "And who is this man?" "Somebody who takes pride in his immunity." "And who couldn't care less even about you." " Who's he?" "Count Davia." "Perez." "An ordinance leave at once for the castle of Pianoro." "In the name of His Majesty,.." "the two indictees must be handed over immediately." "Go." "In the name of the most excellent Duke of Montimar,.." "head of the troops of His Catholic Majesty the King of Spain,.." "in the city and county of Bologna,.." "it is ordered,.." "to anyone who knows where they are,.." "or detains, or protects the indictees,.." "carlo Barozzi,.." " Maria." "and the young Countess Maria Letizia di Rocca SibaIda,.." "guilty of a great crime committed against the morals.." "and against the Roman Catholic and Apostolic religion,.." "Thug." "to deliver them to us,.." "explicitly invested thereof by the most excellent Duke of Montimar,.." "so that they may taken to the prison of the constable." "Whosoever does not obey to this decree,.." "will be judged by the Spanish Military Court,.." "as guilty of treason,.." "will be passed for torture after the administration of holy sacraments,.." "and sentenced to death by hanging on a public square." "It's him, I recognize him." "Come." "Count Davia ordered to take them and tie them." "I arrest you in the name of Duke of Montimar." "It honors me." "But what are you doing?" "carlo." "carlo." "carlo." "And after eating, we make you a nice gift." "Pass me the basket." "You hear them?" "Can you hear them?" "Much blood will be shed." "Will die poor people who are not involved." "It's always been so." "History teaches us." "But I can't stay here without doing anything to save them." "Can you save their souls?" "Go there yourself." "He'll never give up." "It will be civil war." " Montimar will assault Pianoro castle." "Let's go out with our troopers." " With whom shall we side?" "With Davia, who flogged the Spanish soldiers, but is a BoIognese,.." "or with Montimar, who is stronger, but is a stranger?" "With the strongest." "No feelings." "Yes, let our troops help the Spaniards." "And then?" "People will remember." "We'll become unpopular." "They'll blame us for their dead." "And finally, what if Davia should win?" "He's right." "And you're right too." "We must... decide." "But how can we decide before we know how this story ends?" "The only thing to do is..." "deliberate." "We'll lock ourselves in here, in this noble Council Hall, to deliberate." "On what?" " It doesn't matter." "What matters is that for two days, three days, if necessary,.." "we stay locked in here to...deliberate." "We'll eat and sleep here." "And when we know how things have ended, then we'll come out." "And with the right deliberation." "Faster." "Whip it." "Can't we go a little slower?" "My stomach is in my throat." "Swallow, canon." "You're used to it anyway." "We must always obey our superiors." " Well said." "Stop." "What is it?" "It's me." "Can't we go through?" "Sorry, Eminence, orders are to not let anybody through." "Well, let me speak to commander." "Take me to him." "Let them pass." "His Eminence the Cardinal." "I'm very happy to see Your Eminence here." "At least somebody is very happy these days." "You are a cardinal who knows how to take on his responsibilities." " Exactly." "The Spanish troops are in bologna to help the Pope." "You are a representative of the Pope, hence, help me." "Advice those fools to give up, or I'll be forced to execute them." "Always to help the Pope." " Yes." "So, to help him myself, I too start now, by asking you to remove the camp.." "and go back to Bologna with your troops." "I beg Your Eminence to note that Count Davia has rebelled against my order." "And so you want to cut the gullet.." "the throat, to tens of good fellows who have nothing to do with it?" "Come on, retreat." "No, tomorrow I will attack Pianoro." "Really?" "Then tomorrow you'll attack me as well." "I'll be there, with them." "Help the Pope thoroughly by killing also a Cardinal." "Good day." "Let's go." "A lady awaits Your Excellency." " Who is she?" "She wouldn't say." "Madam, I don't have the honor of knowing you." "What do you wish?" "Not even so?" "My husband is locked in the council to deliberate." "I thought that the night at the camp was boring, for my friend Montimar." "The fortress is nearly impregnable." "From 3 sides it is perched on the rock." "From this one, we'll boil them with hot oil and burning pitch." "It'll be fun." " Oh, lots of fun." "From there, we cover a long stretch of road with arquebuses." "Killing one at shot, will be child's play." "Evidently, for child's play, I have backward ideas." "Come, come Eminence." "From this side then, we're very safe." "If someone had the idea to climb the rocks,.." "he'd be welcomed with forks and spears and skewered like a chicken." "We can keep this joke for two months, we have the warehouses full of food." "Two months of boiled men, of grilled men, of fried men..." "Dear Count, you're a gourmet." "Eminence, allow me to stay here for the final preparations." "It's my great day." "Especially with the Spaniards." " Sure, see you later." "Come on, there." "Don't let that side uncovered." "You, go there." "You two with the arquebuses, come here." "Why look at me like that?" "Eminence, tomorrow we might all be dead." "Well, maybe with the help of God and of these troublemakers,.." "we might even succeed." "Why, you're afraid, you?" "Not for me, Your Eminence, but for those two youngsters." "Both for the judgment of God, and for that of men,.." "it would be better that they were married." "As his wife, no more convent." "As her husband, even the abduction would be punished less severely." "You're quite right, Don Tinti." "Well, what's up?" "You sound like a grumpy horse." "What's wrong, canon?" "First, this is not their parish." "Good heavens." "It's true." "Don Tinti, enroll them immediately among your parishioners." "And then?" " Second: and the banns?" "In point of death, we can do without banns." "Point of death?" "They're both fine." "As much on point of death as I am." "You never know." "Didn't you see the preparations?" "Go and prepare everything for the wedding." "Yes, Eminence." " Is there more?" "Your Eminence can break the rules whenever he wishes." "Very well." "So I'm breaking the rules and joining those two in matrimony." "Are you angry?" "No." "I must say certain things,.." "but then I'm glad that Your Eminence doesn't take them into account." "You're a charming man." "Too bad it's summer already." "Why?" "Nights are shorter, and dawn is quick to arrive." "Dawn..." "At dawn I'm supposed to attack." "But how can I, if that crazy cardinal, with due respect to his habit,.." "shows up on the ramparts?" "How can I order to fire?" "I knew that you needed me." "You have a telescope?" "A telescope?" "Yes." "Give it to me." "Here." "Here." "It fell and it broke." "How could you recognize the Cardinal from afar,.." "by the naked eye, when you ordered fire?" "But in conscience, I know he's up there among the rebels." "The soldiers who know how to defend their honor against anyone,.." "are the men I prefer." "Preference is not love." "But before loving you,.." "I want to know what sort of man you really are." "Well then,.." "yes?" "..." "or no?" "Yes." "The ring, now." "His..." "Ego coniungo vos in matrimonio,.." "in nomine Patris et filii et Spiritus Sancti, amen." "Excellency, at dawn we occupied Pianoro,.." "with no resistance." "The town seems deserted." " How can it be?" "I can assure Your Excellency that no one entered or left the town." "Officers, at attention." "You must seek the two rebels." "Search every house." "And anyone who opposes resistance be immediately executed." "Excellency, look." "Two rebels are placed under your protection." "I invite you, in the name of the law, to deliver them, now." "I know no rebels, I." "Two poor lost creatures, persecuted,.." "driven by injustice and oppression to commit an act larger than themselves." "They knocked at my door, and I opened for them." "Not for two rebels, hence, but for two victims, two exiles,.." "whom I welcomed back to my flock, pure of all stain,.." "and sanctified by the matrimony that I have personally blessed last night." "You've also mentioned the law." "But which law?" "The law you believe you make triumph with your guns?" "No." "It's I who invite you, soldiers of a king,.." "who has, in his major title, the name of Catholic, to retreat." "In the name of that law, which is the only law worth saving,.." "and whose holy symbol, is this." "Maria." "Arrest him." " Arrest him." "Stop him" "Quick, be quick." "Doctor, there are still hopes?" "The ways of Providence, you know them better than me, Your Eminence." "I can only tell you that the poor girl is in very difficult conditions." "Excuse me, Your Eminence." "Do not worry, my son, you'll see that she will heal." "Come on..." "Countess Rocca SibaIda is awaiting Your Eminence." "Shall I let her in?" "Here?" "No, lead her over there." "Your Eminence." "It's not before me that you ought to kneel." "My child." "You feel as mother just in time to weep her, your baby." "Oh no." "No." "No?" "I too said no, to your plans for revenge." "And you wouldn't listen to me." "How do you want God to listen to you, now.." "that the fruits of your actions have matured, so?" "Since they brought me the news,.." "I no longer live." "Why should she be punished?" "It's not fair." "I alone have to pay." "Even if you repentance were sincere..." "No, let me speak..." "there's nothing but pride." "You are guilty." "Yet you question your judge, who knows better than us, what is us due." "Hence, remit yourself into His hands." "Come and see her, now." "What is it, you hesitate?" "I can't bear the sight of blood." "Why did you come here, then?" "To be seen by me?" "Perhaps the sight of pain will do more than anything else." "You must come." "If she doesn't regain consciousness within a few minutes..." "Help me, madam, let's lift her a little." "Do you think that she will survive, doctor?" "You must not despair so, Maria is a strong girl." "Eminence, you ask God to save her." "This red robe does not increase my merits towards the Lord." "The prayer of a pure heart, this is indeed pleasing to God." "Eminence..." "Pray, son, pray, that's all you can do now." "What is it, canon?" "Bad news, Eminence." "Just now came a messenger from Rome." "I am afraid I figure out." "And so?" "Eminence,.." "I am grieved to announce you the death of His Holiness Pope Clement XIII." "May God receive his soul in peace." "It's the decree of the Secretary of State for the conclave." "We must return immediately to Bologna, Eminence, and prepare to leave." "Sure." "Provide for immediately." "Eminence." " Well, what's up?" "The girl has come around." "I believe, I hope..." "Believe, hope..." "but, in short, will she live?" "She will live." "Please, Mom, stay." "Carlo and I will be happy to live together again with you and Dad." "That damn woman." "Why, don't you believe she repented?" "Thank you, son." "Repent, that one?" "No, she's like the Venetian Republic." "Loses wars, but is saved by diplomacy." "Sure she didn't learn from her husband." " Oh, no, no, of course." "Why you wanted to exit by here?" "There is less confusion." "Over there people, Spanish soldiers..." "Well, goodbye and good luck." "And when you are elected Gonfalonier, take good care of our Bologna." "Your Holiness..." "Well,...well, if they want to elect a scholar, they'll choose Gotti,.." "if a politician, Aldrovandi." "If then they want a simpleton,.." "Bless you." "they'll choose me." " No, Eminence." "I have idea that you'd make a lot of people toe the line." "You think so?" "Ehm, well, who knows."