D'Artagnan, the King Maker — page 177: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

CHAPTER XXIII. FIRST SWORD, THEN SCEPTRE. It was only Donna Jacinta who tripped in, a step or two, saying archly: “Tt is the visitors’ day at Petrel Palace! Your orace, Father Benito begs the favor of a hearing “Fra Benito?” “From St. Peter’s Patrimony direct “Glad to receive the reverend father! He speaks sparingly, but he does not spare the rod of chastening wisdom.” Between themselves, the two hidalgoes smiled, for they best knew whether this was an ally or a disputant who came so timely. Jacinta had instantly ushered in a man in a monk’s frock and cowl; his bare feet had been tanned by dye—or long exposure, so as to defy mud to color them; some treatment—or severe journeys, had made the soles hardy against gravel, and his ankles impervious to brambles. On the breast of the cape attached to his ample cowl was a white cross, probably to indicate he was a Domini- can, but, on closer view, there could be made out, in its centre, embroidered with a fine needle, a naked sword in a laurel wreath, looking like a cross again. This was the insignia of the Holy Inquisition. Fra Benito, of Segovia, was one of those ambiguous persons of the times; it was always in doubt whether they were high church dignitaries having a dispensation from certain vows—if they took any in putting on the garb; or, lay brothers allowed to wear the robe and ec- clesiastical marks in order better to execute mysterious services. It was asserted that he was deeply learned; — while, on the other part, he was accused of letting his _ more reverend name cover pamphlets of controversy which, from their variety, it is said, could not have — flowed from a single pen. Fortunately—we say, fortu- nately—the uncultivated herd who light fires.and lamps 99 comicbooks:com