The six sisters of the valleys : an historical romance - University Library

CONSILIUM DE PROPAGANDA FIDE, ETC. 7
Delegate Gastaldo, the Count Christopher,
De la Mena, Confessor of his Royal High-
ness the Duke of Savoy, the Prior Rorengo,
and one or two other signori excellentissimi.
"My Lords," said the Marquis ofPia-
nesse, who presided at the head of the
table, "I need not occupy your time by
stating the object of our meeting. The
name of this blessed brotherhood, insti-
tuted by Pope Gregory XV., in 1622,
declares our mission, while its last clause,
added since the year of jubilee, is a pledge
of our increased zeal. You are aware,
my lords, that I have lately lost the Mar-
chioness," and as he said this his voice
faltered. " I received from her a dying
charge to propagate our holy faith in those
neighbouring valleys, or to uproot that
cursed race of heretics. It would, indeed,
be a source of glory if we could tear them
from those rocks to which they have clung
from time immemorial, despite all our
efforts."