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           ThemomentAnnespokeshewasawareofthechangeinhim;asifthewholeofhispurposehadsuddenlyevaporated,andthepromiseofsomeveryspecialpleasure.

           Hedrewalongbreath."ThisisthesecondtimeI’vecometosaygoodbyeandnotfoundher…Athens,andnowagain.Iwasawayforayearthenanditmighthavebeenalotlonger;Ididn’tknowatthetime.IhadnevervisitedDroghedasincePaddyandStudied,yetwhenitcameIfoundIcouldn’tleaveAustraliawithoutseeingMeggie.Andshe’dmarried,goneaway.Iwantedtocomeafterher,butIknewitwouldn’thavebeenfairtoherortoLuke.ThistimeIcamebecauseIknewIcouldn’tharmwhatisn’tthere."

           "Whereareyougoing?"

           "ToRome,totheVatican.CardinaldiContini-VerchesehastakenoverthedutiesofCardinalMonteverdi,whodiednotlongago.Andhe’saskedforme,asIknewhewould.It’sagreatcompliment,butmorethanthat.Icannotrefusetogo."

           "Howlongwillyoubeaway?"

           "Oh,averylongtime,Ithink.TherearewarrumblesinEurope,thoughitseemssofarawayuphere.TheChurchinRomeneedseverydiplomatshehas,andthankstoCardinaldiContini-VercheseI’mclassifiedasadiplomat.MussoliniiscloselyalliedtoHitler,birdsofafeather,andsomehowtheVaticanhastoreconciletwoopposingideologies,CatholicismandFascism.Itwon’tbeeasy.IspeakGermanverywell,learnedGreekwhenIwasinAthensandItalianwhenIwasinRome.IalsospeakFrenchandSpanishfluently."Hesighed.