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Chapter 15
ButItookanoathalso,Itooamunderorders.ImustdoasmyFührerwishes."
"You’lltryforus,HerrGeneral?Please,youmust!IwasinAthenssomeyearsago,"saidArchbishopRalphquickly,leaningforward,hiseyescharminglywide,alockofwhite-sprinkledhairfallingacrosshisbrow;hewaswellawareofhiseffectonthegeneral,anduseditwithoutcompunction."HaveyoubeeninAthens,sir?"
"Yes,Ihave,"saidthegeneraldryly.
"ThenI’msureyouknowthestory.HowittookmenofrelativelymoderntimestodestroythebuildingsatoptheAcropolis?HerrGeneral,Romestandsasshealwayswas,amonumenttotwothousandyearsofcare,attention,love.Please,Ibegofyou!Don’tendangerRome."
Thegeneralstaredathiminstartledadmiration;hisuniformbecamehimverywell,butnobetterthanthesoutanewithitstouchofimperialpurplebecameArchbishopRalph.He,too,hadthelookofasoldier,asoldier’ssparelybeautifulbody,andthefaceofanangel.SomusttheArchangelMichaellook;notasmoothyoungRenaissanceboybutanagingperfectman,whohadlovedLucifer,foughthim,banishedAdamandEve,slaintheserpent,stoodatGod’srighthand.Didheknowhowhelooked?Hewasindeedamantoremember.
"Ishalldomybest,YourGrace,Ipromiseyou.Toacertainextentthedecisionismine,Iadmitit.Iam,asyouknow,acivilizedman.Butyou’reaskingalot.